Sykeema Bell, CSC Docket No. 2026-307

BackgroundThe appeal of Sykeema Bell, a Probation Officer, with the Judiciary, Vicinage 7-Mercer County, of her 10 working day suspension, on charges, was heard by Administrative Law Judge Andrea Specak (ALJ), who rendered her initial decision on August 6, 2026. No exceptions were filed.

AnalysisHaving considered the record and the ALJ’s initial decision, and having made an independent evaluation of the record, the Civil Service Commission (Commission), at its meeting on September 2, 2026, adopted the ALJ’s Findings of Facts and Conclusions of Law and her recommendation to reverse the 10 working day suspension.

Since the suspension has been reversed, the appellant is entitled to 10 working days of back pay, benefits, and seniority pursuant to N.J.A.C. 4A:2-2.10. Moreover, the appellant is entitled to reasonable counsel fees pursuant to N.J.A.C. 4A:2-2.12.

This decision resolves the merits of the dispute between the parties concerning the disciplinary charges and the penalty imposed by the appointing authority. However, per the Appellate Division’s decision, Dolores Phillips v. Department of Corrections, Docket No. A-5581-01T2F (App. Div. Feb. 26, 2003), the Commission’s decision will not become final until any outstanding issues concerning counsel fees are finally resolved.

ORDER

The Civil Service Commission finds that the action of the appointing authority in suspending the appellant was not justified and reverses that action. The Commission further orders that the appellant be granted 10 working days of back pay, benefits, and seniority. The amount of back pay awarded is to be reduced as provided for in N.J.A.C. 4A:2-2.10(d)3. The Commission also orders reasonable counsel fees pursuant to N.J.A.C. 4A:2-2.12(a). Proof of income earned, and an affidavit in support of reasonable counsel fees shall be submitted by or on behalf of the appellant to the appointing authority within 30 days of issuance of this decision.

Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 4A:2-2.12(b), the parties shall make a good faith effort to resolve any dispute as to the amount of counsel fees.

The parties must inform the Commission, in writing, if there is any dispute as to counsel fees within 60 days of issuance of this decision. In the absence of such notice, the Commission will assume that all outstanding issues have been amicably resolved by the parties and this decision shall become a final administrative determination pursuant to R. 2:2-3(a)(2). After such time, any further review of this matter shall be pursued in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Appellate Division.

ClosingThis is the final administrative determination in this matter. Any further review should be pursued in a judicial forum.