Judge Julio Mendez granted a temporary restraining order against the state-proposed changes to the Atlantic City police contract.
The police union filed suit after a five-page order from state-appointed overseer Jeffrey Chiesa called for cuts to salaries and benefits, along with increased hours.
The firefighters filed a similar suit, which the judge granted at the time. On Friday, he made a split decision in the continuation of that case.
Mendez set a hearing for 9:30 a.m. April 10. The state has until March 28 to answer the charges.
The suit claims the order impairs the police officers' constitutional rights.
Atlantic City PBA President Matt Rogers was just leaving the Boardwalk as part of a kick-off campaign to bring attention to the potential dangers of the public safety cuts when he got word of the decision.
"We're very appreciative of Judge Mendez's ruling on the matter, and hope that we can come to a quick resolution to this unfortunate action we were forced to take for the good of Atlantic City and the community that has been so supportive of us,"
