Speziale's decision to move from Passaic County to the Port Authority mid-election was the focus of controversy, and prompted allegations that the appointment was political.

Sympathizing with Speziale's family situation, because his wife was suffering from a terminal illness, many respected his right to make this move, but local and countywide Democrats were disappointed with the abruptness of his departing.

[17] Shortly after the raid, New Jersey's Attorney General ordered all local law enforcement authorities to get permission from a special liaison before seeking terrorism-related search warrants.

Initially, the state civil service commission and county freeholders accused Speziale of exceeding his budget by making an excessive number of patronage appointments, ordering him to fire eight investigators who had been hired in addition to the 20 "at-will" officers already added to the force.

[22] On August 10, 2010, Speziale resigned in order to accept a post as Deputy Superintendent of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey police.

[26] In response, the Passaic County freeholder board's democratic majority called for a criminal investigation, asserting that Speziale had been offered the job in order to entice him out of the race for Sheriff.

[23][24][29][30] In 2019, a grass roots support group of Jerry Speziale collected 4000 signatures in a few days for him to run for Passaic County Sheriff, in the June 2019 Democratic primary election, but Speziale withdrew after speaking with New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and State Democratic Chairman John Currie.

[37][35][34] Speziale's civil complaint reported similar conduct and in April 2018, the Port Authority Inspector General's Office began investigating claims about special treatment Radio Host Rush Limbaugh said he received from Port Authority Police Superintendent Michael Fedorko on April 12, 2018, by receiving a police escort, lights and siren from Newark Liberty Airport to downtown Manhattan.

Fedorko abruptly announced his retirement, less than a week after news reported investigators were looking into a recent "lights and sirens" escort provided for Rush Limbaugh.

The agency's Inspector General had opened an investigation into the escort Fedorko gave the conservative radio show host from Newark Liberty International Airport to Manhattan, where he was a last-minute speaker at a charity dinner.

[7][40] Local media reported that Speziale was a "force on the streets" in Prichard, and was known for participating in raids and investigations alongside officers.

[41] Speziale resigned as chief of the Prichard police after nine months in the post, citing his desire to return to New Jersey to be with his children after the recent death of his wife.

Mayor Joey Torres said he was encouraged by the statistics and said he was confident Police Director Jerry Speziale would continue to reduce crime.

[46] The city's 12 homicides last year was lower than any other time since 2004, according to the Uniform Crime Statistics report compiled by the New Jersey State Police.

Year-end numbers show a 26 percent decrease in crime reported by the police department in November held steady through the final weeks of December.

[6] In 2009, Speziale played the role of Captain Sidney Geraci in the crime film Brooklyn's Finest, directed by Antoine Fuqua.