Cop who got drunk to help teach police DUI class ends up arrested

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Updated: January 19, 2012 11:11AM

WYCKOFF, N.J. — Authorities say a northern New Jersey police officer was charged with drunken driving just hours after he purposely got drunk during a police academy class on alcohol’s effect on reaction times, balance and motor skills.

Wyckoff police say 31-year-old Joseph Gaeta, who serves with the Midland Park police, was charged after the all-terrain vehicle he was driving crashed Thursday afternoon.

Gaeta — who was off-duty at the time — was hospitalized with significant facial injuries.

Officials say Gaeta took part in a DWI class at the Bergen County Police Academy. He was given controlled amounts of alcohol during the class, allowing officers to see his response to sobriety tests while sober and after he was drunk, at a measured .13 percent blood alcohol level.

Another officer drove Gaeta home after the class. According to Wyckoff police, Gaeta then got on his four-wheel ATV and illegally drove on a street, before flipping it at a turn. He was charged with driving while intoxicated and given “several” vehicle violations for ilegal operation.

Gaeta’s own police chief, John Casson, said Gaeta had been on sick leave when assisting with the course.

“I’ve honestly never run across a situation like this in 43 years,” Casson said. “I’m not sure at what point his status [with the department] could change.”

AP