Jerry Speziale: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia

Article Images

Content deleted Content added

Revision as of 16:23, 31 December 2022 edit

Ira Leviton

(talk | contribs)

Extended confirmed users

322,373 edits

← Previous edit

Latest revision as of 15:40, 11 September 2024 edit undo

MusikBot II

(talk | contribs)

Bots, Interface administrators, Administrators

99,122 edits

Tag: Manual revert

(46 intermediate revisions by 20 users not shown)

Line 54:

}}

'''Gerald Speziale''' (born {{birth based on age as of date|50|2010|8|11|mos=y|noage=y}})<ref name="nypost"/> is an American [[law enforcement]] officer and Public Safety Director of the [[Paterson Police Department]] and the [[Paterson Fire Department]] in [[Paterson, New Jersey]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Public Safety Department |url=https://www.patersonnj.gov/department/index.php?structureid=127 |website=www.patersonnj.gov}}</ref> A former member of the [[New York City Police Department]], Speziale has also served as the [[Sheriff of Passaic County, New Jersey]], as Deputy Police Superintendent - Assistant Director of Public Safety for the [[Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department]],<ref name="northjersey">{{Cite web |~~last~~last1=Cowen |~~first~~first1=Richard |last2=Cunningham |first2=Jennifer |last3=Alexander |first3=Andrea |date=2010-08-10 |title=Passaic County Sheriff Speziale resigns, accepts Port Authority post |url=http://www.northjersey.com/news/081010_Passaic_County_Sheriff_Speziale_resigns.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141009222406/http://www.northjersey.com/news/passaic-county-sheriff-speziale-resigns-accepts-port-authority-post-1.926709 |archive-date=2014-10-09 |access-date=2011-11-23 |website=[[NorthJersey.com]] |publisher=[[North Jersey Media Group]]}}</ref> and as Chief of Police for the City of [[Prichard, Alabama]]. He has worked as an undercover officer in the [[United States]] [[Drug Enforcement Administration]] (DEA), and for the [[New York City|New York]] Drug Enforcement Task Force while in the NYPD.

Jerry Speziale resigned in 2010 and took a position with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Speziale's decision to move from Passaic County to the Port Authority mid-election was the focus of controversy, and prompted allegations that the appointment was political. Sympathizing with Speziale's family situation, because his wife was suffering from a terminal illness, many respected his right to make this move, but local and countywide Democrats were disappointed with the abruptness of his departing.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9h9maut6ME |title=Speziale steps down as Sheriff |date=2010-08-11 |publisher=[[NorthJersey.com]] |via=[[YouTube]] |accessdate=2010-08-11}}</ref>

Line 73:

In November 2001, Speziale was elected Sheriff of Passaic County, New Jersey.<ref name="northjersey" /> Although he had campaigned for Republican candidates in 1999, Speziale ran as a Democrat, and replaced Republican Edwin Englehardt, who had served as sheriff for 27 years.<ref name=NYTrides/> He was re-elected sheriff twice, in 2004 and 2007.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cowen |first=Richard |date=2010-06-20 |title=Passaic County sheriff has raised over $1M in reelection bid |url=http://www.northjersey.com/news/96743064_Sheriff_raises_over__1M.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100623001600/http://www.northjersey.com/news/96743064_Sheriff_raises_over__1M.html |archive-date=2010-06-23 |access-date=June 20, 2010 |website=[[NorthJersey.com]]}}</ref>

In August 2002, federal officials criticized him for a "shameful media grab at the expense of a federal investigation that was not complete" while conducting a raid of a Paterson office that produced phony documents that were reportedly sold to several 9/11 hijackers.<ref name="NorthJersey.com">{{Cite web |last=Kelly |first=Mike |date=2016-01-09 |title=Kelly: Jerry Speziale's new beat covers two states |url=https://www.northjersey.com/story/life/community/2016/01/09/kelly-jerry-speziales-new-beat-covers-two-states/94382472/ |access-date=January 9, 2016 |website=[[NorthJersey.com]] |publisher=[[North Jersey Media Group]]}}</ref> Federal officials were upset that Speziale's detectives did not inform the FBI about the raid and Speziale publicly released the details of the Sheriff's Office investigation, and had invited reporters to accompany police on the raid.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hanley |first=Robert |date=2002-08-02 |title=U.S. Official Says Passaic Sheriff Damaged a Federal Inquiry |language=en-US |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/08/02/nyregion/us-official-says-passaic-sheriff-damaged-a-federal-inquiry.html |url-status=live |url-access=limited |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210323190137/https://www.nytimes.com/2002/08/02/nyregion/us-official-says-passaic-sheriff-damaged-a-federal-inquiry.html |archive-date=2021-03-23 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Shortly after the raid, New Jersey's Attorney General ordered all local law enforcement authorities to get permission from a special liaison before seeking terrorism-related search warrants.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jones |first=Richard Lezin |date=2002-08-09 |title=Police Must Get Authorization In New Jersey Terrorism Cases |language=en-US |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/08/09/nyregion/police-must-get-authorization-in-new-jersey-terrorism-cases.html |url-status=live |url-access=limited |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126122232/https://www.nytimes.com/2002/08/09/nyregion/police-must-get-authorization-in-new-jersey-terrorism-cases.html |archive-date=2021-01-26 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The incident reportedly led to a "deep chill" in relations between the US Attorney's office and Speziale's staff. Until the raid, the Sheriff's department and the FBI had been investigating jointly.<ref>{{Cite news |~~last~~last1=Hanley |~~first~~first1=Robert |last2=Miller |first2=Jonathan |date=2003-06-25 |title=4 Transcripts Are Released In Case Tied to 9/11 Hijackers |language=en-US |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/06/25/nyregion/4-transcripts-are-released-in-case-tied-to-9-11-hijackers.html |url-status=live |url-access=limited |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201207044300/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/06/25/nyregion/4-transcripts-are-released-in-case-tied-to-9-11-hijackers.html |archive-date=2020-12-07 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Although, Speziale has served since 1994 as a consultant, instructor and subject matter expert on multijurisdictional law enforcement investigations involving wiretaps to federal law enforcement agencies around the nation.<ref name="NorthJersey.com" />

Speziale also came into conflict with Passaic County [[Board of chosen freeholders|freeholder]]s (county legislators) and the state Civil Service Commission over the number of [[patronage]] appointments that he was allowed to make as Sheriff. The dispute centered on whether supervisors should count as sheriff's officers when calculating the number of "at-will" investigators the sheriff could hire. Initially, the state civil service commission and county freeholders accused Speziale of exceeding his budget by making an excessive number of patronage appointments, ordering him to fire eight investigators who had been hired in addition to the 20 "at-will" officers already added to the force.<ref name="northjersey" /><ref name="richardcowen1">{{Cite web |last=Cowen |first=Richard |date=2010-08-09 |title=Passaic County sheriff vows to fight state on patronage power |url=http://www.northjersey.com/news/passaic-county-sheriff-vows-to-fight-state-on-patronage-power-1.1156676 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304103356/http://www.northjersey.com/news/passaic-county-sheriff-vows-to-fight-state-on-patronage-power-1.1156676 |archive-date=2016-03-04 |website=[[NorthJersey.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-08-08 |title=Passaic County sheriff ordered to fire eight patronage appointments |url=https://www.nj.com/news/2010/08/passic_county_sheriff_ordered.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220830130043/https://www.nj.com/news/2010/08/passic_county_sheriff_ordered.html |archive-date=2022-08-30 |website=[[NJ.com]] |publisher=[[Advance Publications]] |language=en |agency=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref> In March 2011, however, the New Jersey Civil Service Commission changed its stance, ruling that supervisors should count as sheriff's officers, and that Speziale had been within his rights when he hired the eight additional officers. By that time, Speziale had already left the Sheriff's office and the number of staff had been reduced.<ref name="kibretmarkos">{{Cite web |last=Markos |first=Kibret |date=2013-05-10 |title=Jury awards $75G punitive damage to Passaic County sheriff's captain in whistleblower case |url=http://www.northjersey.com/news/crime-and-courts/jury-awards-75g-punitive-damage-to-passaic-county-sheriff-s-captain-in-whistleblower-case-1.580938 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150920114641/http://www.northjersey.com/news/crime-and-courts/jury-awards-75g-punitive-damage-to-passaic-county-sheriff-s-captain-in-whistleblower-case-1.580938 |archive-date=2015-09-20 |website=[[NorthJersey.com]]}}</ref>

On August 10, 2010, Speziale resigned in order to accept a post as Deputy Superintendent of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey police.<ref name="Rashb" /><ref name="patriciaalex" /><ref name="nj.com">{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Brent |date=2015-06-08 |title=Wildstein claims Christie broke law by revealing grand jury information, report says |url=https://www.nj.com/politics/2015/06/wildstein_claims_christie_broke_law_by_revealing_grand_jury_information_report_says.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220830130459/https://www.nj.com/politics/2015/06/wildstein_claims_christie_broke_law_by_revealing_grand_jury_information_report_says.html |archive-date=2022-08-30 |website=[[NJ.com]] |publisher=[[Advance Publications]]}}</ref><ref name="NYTGJ">{{Cite news |last=Zernike |first=Kate |date=2015-06-08 |title=Ex-Official Says Chris Christie Broke Grand Jury Law |language=en-US |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/08/nyregion/statement-says-chris-christie-broke-grand-jury-law.html |url-status=live |url-access=limited |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616140931/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/08/nyregion/statement-says-chris-christie-broke-grand-jury-law.html |archive-date=~~2015~~2022-06-16 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cowen |first=Richard |date=2010-08-11 |title=With Speziale gone, acting sheriff looks to settle down Passaic department |url=http://www.northjersey.com/news/with-speziale-gone-acting-sheriff-looks-to-settle-down-passaic-department-1.1155310 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304095303/http://www.northjersey.com/news/with-speziale-gone-acting-sheriff-looks-to-settle-down-passaic-department-1.1155310 |archive-date=2016-03-04 |website=[[NorthJersey.com]]}}</ref> Speziale cited family reasons as his reason for resigning and abandoning his re-election campaign.<ref name="northjersey" /> According to ''[[The Record (North Jersey)|The Record]]'' columnist Alfred Doblin, Speziale's decision to resign so suddenly, and during a campaign, was "a slap in the face to political allies and donors," and his decision to distribute the $1 million in campaign funds that Speziale had already raised to charity - rather than to other Democratic candidates - added "insult to injury."<ref name="patriciaalex" /><ref name="Doblin" /> Republican Assemblyman Scott Rumana told reporters that he had helped to arrange Speziale's new job, in conjunction with the office of New Jersey's republican governor, [[Chris Christie]].<ref name="richardcowen">{{Cite web |last=Cowen |first=Richard |date=2010-09-15 |title=Passaic County Democrats call for federal probe into Speziale job |url=http://www.northjersey.com/news/freeholders-call-for-probe-into-new-speziale-job-1.927764 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150612040509/http://www.northjersey.com/news/freeholders-call-for-probe-into-new-speziale-job-1.927764 |archive-date=2015-06-12 |website=[[NorthJersey.com]]}}</ref> In response, the Passaic County freeholder board's democratic majority called for a criminal investigation, asserting that Speziale had been offered the job in order to entice him out of the race for Sheriff.<ref name="NYTGJ" /><ref name="richardcowen" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Strunsky |first=Steve |date=2010-09-17 |title=Ex-Passaic County sheriff's move to Port Authority angers, baffles N.J. Democrats |url=https://www.nj.com/news/2010/09/ex-passaic_county_sheriffs_mov.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220830131127/https://www.nj.com/news/2010/09/ex-passaic_county_sheriffs_mov.html |archive-date=2022-08-30 |website=[[NJ.com]] |publisher=[[Advance Publications]]}}</ref> Several years later, ''The Record'' reported that "nothing ever came" of the state investigation.<ref name="richardcowen2">{{Cite web |last=Cowen |first=Richard |date=2013-10-04 |title=Former Passaic sheriff Speziale takes job in bankrupt Southern town |url=http://www.northjersey.com/news/former-passaic-sheriff-takes-job-in-bankrupt-southern-town-1.629806 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150802134148/http://www.northjersey.com/news/former-passaic-sheriff-takes-job-in-bankrupt-southern-town-1.629806 |archive-date=2015-08-02 |website=[[NorthJersey.com]]}}</ref> Controversy over the appointment resurfaced in June 2015, however, when former Port Authority official [[David Wildstein]] - a key figure in the [[Fort Lee lane closure scandal]] -

alleged in a sworn statement that Christie had arranged for the Port Authority to hire Speziale in order to take both him and his campaign funds out of the race.<ref name="nj.com" /><ref name="NYTGJ" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gass |first=Nick |date=8 June 2015 |title=Report: Christie accused of breaking grand jury law |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2015/06/chris-christie-accused-breaking-grand-jury-law-nyt-118728 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410052515/https://www.politico.com/story/2015/06/chris-christie-accused-breaking-grand-jury-law-nyt-118728 |archive-date=2021-04-10 |website=[[POLITICO]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Garver |first=Rob |date=2015-06-08 |title=Former Schoolmate Continues to Plague Chris Christie |url=https://www.thefiscaltimes.com/2015/06/08/Former-Schoolmate-Continues-Plague-Chris-Christie |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212220601/https://www.thefiscaltimes.com/2015/06/08/Former-Schoolmate-Continues-Plague-Chris-Christie |archive-date=2021-02-12 |website=[[The Fiscal Times]]}}</ref>

Line 89:

In May 2014, Speziale sued the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey in federal court, alleging that the Port Authority had retaliated against him after he uncovered wasteful spending by the authority. In the suit, Speziale claimed that the Port Authority had confiscated his work vehicle, denied him security credentials for Port Authority facilities, denied him medical leave benefits, and subjected him to "daily harassment, intimidation, and demeaning conduct" after he reported misspending to his superiors and that Superintendent Michael Fedorko used police emergency lights going through a red light and being issued an automated red light ticket in Newark, NJ, which was allegedly illegally dismissed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharp |first=John |date=2014-05-08 |title=Prichard police chief's lawsuit against New York/New Jersey Port Authority generates buzz |url=https://www.al.com/live/2014/05/prichard_police_chiefs_lawsuit.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220830134806/https://www.al.com/live/2014/05/prichard_police_chiefs_lawsuit.html |archive-date=2022-08-30 |website=[[AL.com]] |publisher=[[Advance Publications]]}}</ref><ref name="Speziale vs. Port Authority">{{Cite web |title=Speziale vs. Port Authority of New York/New Jersey et al |url=https://www.law360.com/cases/536a89c289517466de000005 |url-access=limited |website=[[Law360]]}}</ref><ref name="cbslocal.com">{{Cite web |date=2014-05-07 |title=Former Port Authority Official Jerry Speziale Sues Agency, Alleges Retaliation Over Whistleblowing |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/former-port-authority-official-jerry-speziale-sues-agency-alleges-retaliation-over-whistleblowing/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220830135125/https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/former-port-authority-official-jerry-speziale-sues-agency-alleges-retaliation-over-whistleblowing/ |archive-date=2022-08-30 |website=[[CBS New York]] |agency=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-05-08 |title=More Corruption Alleged at NY Port Authority |url=http://www.courthousenews.com/2014/05/08/67689.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923224431/http://www.courthousenews.com/2014/05/08/67689.htm |archive-date=2015-09-23 |website=[[Courthouse News Service]]}}</ref> The case was put on hold in January 2016, because it involves witnesses in the criminal case related to the [[Fort Lee lane closure scandal]] and has been reopened in January 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Horowitz |first=Ben |date=2016-01-22 |title=Paterson police director's lawsuit against Port Authority is placed on hold |url=https://www.nj.com/passaic-county/2016/01/paterson_police_directors_lawsuit_against_port_aut.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512180146/https://www.nj.com/passaic-county/2016/01/paterson_police_directors_lawsuit_against_port_aut.html |archive-date=2019-05-12 |access-date=November 2, 2017 |website=[[NJ.com]] |publisher=[[Advance Publications]]}}</ref><ref name="cbslocal.com" /><ref name="Speziale vs. Port Authority" />

Speziale's civil complaint reported similar conduct and in April 2018, the Port Authority Inspector General's Office began investigating claims about special treatment Radio Host Rush Limbaugh said he received from Port Authority Police Superintendent Michael Fedorko on April 12, 2018, by receiving a police escort, lights and siren from Newark Liberty Airport to downtown Manhattan. Port Authority protocols prohibit providing a police escort for a celebrity.<ref>{{Cite web |~~last~~last1=Sheldon |~~first~~first1=Chris |last2=McCarthy |first2=Craig |date=2018-04-21 |title=Did Rush Limbaugh get rush-hour police escort from Newark to NYC to attend gala? |url=https://www.nj.com/news/2018/04/draft_port_authority_police_superintendent_under_i.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512174251/https://www.nj.com/news/2018/04/draft_port_authority_police_superintendent_under_i.html |archive-date=2019-05-12 |website=[[NJ.com]] |publisher=[[Advance Publications]]}}</ref> On May 7, 2018, Michael Fedorko's police escort of Rush Limbaugh from Newark Airport to Manhattan stirred controversy. Fedorko abruptly announced his retirement, less than a week after news reported investigators were looking into a recent "lights and sirens" escort provided for Rush Limbaugh. The Port Authority's ethics policy states it's a conflict of interest for a Port Authority employee to use his or her position to achieve or appear to achieve personal financial gain or other advantage. The agency's Inspector General had opened an investigation into the escort Fedorko gave the conservative radio show host from Newark Liberty International Airport to Manhattan, where he was a last-minute speaker at a charity dinner.<ref>{{Cite ~~web~~news |last=Thompson |first=Brian |date=2018-05-07 |title=Port Authority Superintendent Resign Rush Limbaugh Police Escort |url=https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/port-authority-superintendent-resign-rush-limbaugh-police-escort/133634/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920122945/https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/port-authority-superintendent-resign-rush-limbaugh-police-escort/133634/ |archive-date=2021-09-20 |website=[[NBC New York]]}}</ref>

===Prichard, Alabama police===

Line 95:

After seeking a position as police chief in Port St. Lucie, Florida, Miami, and Cincinnati,<ref name="richardcowen2" /> Speziale accepted a post as the police chief of Prichard, Alabama, in October, 2013.<ref name="richardcowen2" /> According to the ''Bergen Record'', Speziale continued to exhibit a "flair for publicity" as police chief in Prichard. The reality TV show ''Cops'', which had had a relationship with Speziale in Passaic County, filmed a segment in Prichard shortly after Speziale's arrival.<ref name="OldJob" /><ref name="sharp">{{Cite web |last=Sharp |first=John |date=2014-01-17 |title=Bad boys, Bad boys: COPS film crew shoots footage of Prichard City Council |url=https://www.al.com/live/2014/01/bad_boys_bad_boys_cops_film_cr.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220830132327/https://www.al.com/live/2014/01/bad_boys_bad_boys_cops_film_cr.html |archive-date=2022-08-30 |website=[[AL.com]] |publisher=[[Advance Publications]] |language=en}}</ref> Local media reported that Speziale was a "force on the streets" in Prichard, and was known for participating in raids and investigations alongside officers.<ref name="fox10tv.com">{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Linda |date=3 July 2014 |title=Prichard names interim top cop following Speziale's resignation |url=http://www.fox10tv.com/story/27810376/prichard-names-interim-top-cop-following-speziales-resignation |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180829110034/https://www.fox10tv.com/news/prichard-names-interim-top-cop-following-speziale-s-resignation/article_e77ce471-f92c-5dc7-b61f-02234d91b63c.html |archive-date=2018-08-29 |website=fox10tv.com |publisher=[[WALA-TV]]}}</ref>

Speziale resigned as chief of the Prichard police after nine months in the post, citing his desire to return to New Jersey to be with his children after the recent death of his wife. His departure surprised Prichard officials.<ref name=OldJob/><ref name="fox10tv.com" /><ref name="auto2">{{Cite news |last=Malinconico |first=Joe |date=2014-07-02 |title=Ex-Sheriff Speziale Named Acting Police Director |work=[[The Record (North Jersey)|The Record]] |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-226867712.html |via=[[HighBeam Research|HighBeam]] |access-date=July 26, 2015 |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924180307/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-226867712.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharp |first=John |date=2014-07-03 |title=Former Prichard Police Chief Jerry Speziale: 'I love my kids ... that's all I have' |url=https://www.al.com/news/mobile/2014/07/former_prichard_police_chief_j.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220830133202/https://www.al.com/news/mobile/2014/07/former_prichard_police_chief_j.html |archive-date=2022-08-30 |website=[[AL.com]] |publisher=[[Advance Publications]]}}</ref>

===Paterson, New Jersey police===

Line 121:

In 2014, Speziale was featured on the TV show ''[[Cops (TV program)|Cops]]'', while at the Prichard Police Department.<ref name="sharp" />

In 2019, Paterson's fire department began being featured on ''[[Live Rescue]]'', an [[A&E (TV network)|A&E]] show following fire departments and EMT squads as they respond to calls.<ref>{{Cite web |~~last~~last1=Kanzler |~~first~~first1=Kaitlyn |last2=Malinconico |first2=Joe |date=2019-06-13 |title=Paterson Fire Department to be featured on A&E's 'Live Rescue' |url=https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/passaic/paterson/2019/06/13/live-rescue-a-e-feature-paterson-nj-fire-department/1442069001/ |access-date=2019-06-13 |website=[[NorthJersey.com]] |publisher=[[North Jersey Media Group]]}}</ref>

In 2022, Paterson's police department began being featured on ''[[On Patrol: Live]]'', airing on [[Reelz]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Malinconico |first=Joe |date=2022-07-25 |title=Paterson police to be featured on new reality show, and activists are not happy. Here's why |url=https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/paterson-press/2022/07/25/paterson-nj-cops-reelz-reality-show/65380176007/ |access-date=2022-09-12 |website=[[NorthJersey.com]] |publisher=[[North Jersey Media Group]] |language=en-US}}</ref> Speziale himself has appeared on the show, among officers of the Paterson Police Department.<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1553514330951454721 |user=danabrams |last=Abrams |first=Dan |author-link=Dan Abrams |title=Here we go #OPNation. It’s Saturday night. Shall we spend it together with these folks? ⁦@OfficialOPLive⁩ ⁦@ReelzChannel |access-date=2022-09-12}}</ref><ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1566190265420976128 |user=danabrams |last=Abrams |first=Dan |author-link=Dan Abrams |title=Hey #OPNation! Please join us tonight ⁦@ReelzChannel ⁩for ⁦@OfficialOPLive |access-date=2022-09-12}}</ref>