Date of Offense
Offense(s)
Official Statement
Terminated: No
Demoted: No
Suspended: Yes
Other Sanction:
Resigned, retired, transferred, or separated while case was pending: No
# of Days Suspended:
Sustained Charge: Charged with an Indictable Offense
Description: Chief Herbst was indicted for Second Degree Official Misconduct N.J.S.A. 2C:30‐2a (four counts), Second Degree Pattern of Official Misconduct N.J.S.A. 2C:30‐7, Second Degree Sexual Assault N.J.S.A. 2C;14‐2c(1) (two counts), Fourth Degree Criminal Sexual Contact N.J.S.A. 2C:14‐3b. Chief Herbst was accused of unwanted sexual behavior toward at least three women. He is alleged to have regularly groped, exposed himself to, sexually harassed and sexually assaulted an employee of the police department who reported directly to him, using coercion and doing so without the victim’s consent, between 2008 and 2021. Chief Herbst is alleged to have solicited sexual favors from the wife of one of his subordinate officers, in order for that officer to receive favorable employment decisions and opportunities. Chief Herbst is also alleged to have gone to the newly purchased home of another victim,
whom had previously been his subordinate and while touring the house, sexually assaulted her. Chief Herbst is accused to have deliberately held onto a Manville Police badge and subsequently misrepresented himself as an active duty member of the police department.
