HELMETTA, N.J. (AP) — A central New Jersey police officer who was videotaped making disparaging comments about President Barack Obama and the Constitution has resigned.

Part-time Officer Richard Recine was called to the Helmetta town hall Monday because resident Steve Wronko was seen videotaping inside. Wronko insisted he had a constitutional right to make the recording.

On the tape, the officer says Obama has “decimated” the Constitution and “if he doesn’t follow the Constitution, we don’t have to.”

Recine told Bridgewater’s Courier News (http://mycj.co/1qYTXw0 ) on Thursday it was a “stupid statement” and he was being sarcastic.

The 59-year-old Recine is a Democrat. He earned an hourly wage while collecting a $79,000 pension after retiring from the Franklin Police Department in 2006.

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Information from: Courier News (Bridgewater, N.J.) , http://www.mycentraljersey.com

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