LIVINGSTON, N.J. — A veteran New Jersey police officer has filed a lawsuit against his department and township, alleging he was disciplined, denied promotions and sidelined professionally after reporting antisemitic remarks and conduct by fellow officers.

Officer Christopher Wagner, who has served with the Livingston Police Department since 2005, says he repeatedly raised concerns about comments and actions he believed targeted Jewish people. According to the complaint, filed Jan. 30 in Essex County, those reports were ignored and followed by retaliatory measures.

The lawsuit alleges that during pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian demonstrations in the township in 2025, officers made remarks to Wagner such as “your people are out there” when referring to demonstrators supporting Israel. Wagner is Jewish.

The complaint also cites comments made during assignments outside a local synagogue, where officers allegedly referred to traffic duty as the “Hebrew 500.” Another officer, who is not Jewish, is accused of repeatedly describing himself as “a cheap Jew” in front of colleagues.

In November, Wagner says he found a book titled “The Jew” placed on top of his locker and reported it to a supervisor. He alleges township officials and department leadership took no corrective action.

The lawsuit further claims that retaliation intensified after Wagner supported allegations made by another Livingston officer who filed a separate discrimination lawsuit against the township in 2023. Wagner says internal affairs investigations were opened against him shortly afterward.

In one instance cited in the complaint, an 18-year-old drug suspect complained about Wagner’s demeanor. Although a supervising sergeant found the complaint lacked merit, internal affairs opened an investigation the next day. Months later, Wagner was served with disciplinary charges seeking an unpaid suspension, which remain pending.

Wagner also alleges he was passed over for promotion to sergeant despite strong test performance and was denied a specialized traffic unit assignment in favor of less-qualified officers. The lawsuit claims officers who did not engage in protected reporting were promoted instead.

The complaint alleges violations of the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination and describes what Wagner says was a hostile work environment.

Livingston township and police officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The case comes amid heightened national attention on antisemitism and discrimination within public institutions, including law enforcement agencies.