Little Silver police officer Steven Solari was arrested Thursday afternoon and charged with two counts of official misconduct, and one count each of aggravated assault, tampering with a witness, obstruction of justice and hindering apprehension. 

 The Prosecutor’s Office began an investigation after an incident was brought to their attention by Little Silver police.  On Dec. 20, Solari and another officer responded to a call at a private home in Little Silver.   During the course of that call, Solari arrested and engaged in a physical struggle with a man.  At headquarters, while that man had his hands cuffed behind his back, Solari allegedly struck him several times.

Several days later, Solari allegedly approached a witness to the assault and tried to convince that person to withhold the truth or lie during the course of the investigation.   

The misconduct and assault charges are second-degree offenses. The hindering and tampering charges are third-degree crimes, and the obstruction charge is a fourth-degree offense.

He’ll be facing some heavy time unless his attorney can explain away his conduct one way or another (I have several ideas) as well as talking about his record which seems really good.

Story is here.