FREEHOLD – A Middletown police officer, who got in a crash with his police cruiser, is accused of falsifying the accident report, according to Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.
Thomas E. Foster, 33, of Keyport, is charged with fourth degree Falsifying Records. If convicted, he faces up to 18 months in state prison. Charges are merely accusations until proven in a court of law.
On July 3, 2019, Foster was the assigned officer to a road repair project on Cedar Avenue in Middletown, the report said. He alleged that while backing out of a parking spot, he struck a telephone pole near his house which was only a few blocks away from the road work. It was later determined that he had backed his police cruiser into a parked pickup truck on Cedar Avenue, causing damage to both vehicles.
Middletown police began the investigation. Once it was revealed that the officer’s actions might have been criminal, the case was handed up to the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.
“Mr. Foster’s attempt to deceive his department by filing a false report violated the special trust afforded to him by his fellow officers and the public he serves. Especially now, the public should be reassured that our law enforcement officers are doing everything possible to uphold and enforce the law, not break it. This officer’s criminal behavior is not reflective of his department or the County law enforcement community,” Gramiccioni said.
“Dishonesty will never be tolerated within our Department by any of our officers. The alleged conduct is unacceptable and does not reflect the values of our agency and we strongly condemn the officer’s actions. We firmly believe that trust and integrity are the cornerstone of policing and the steps taken by this agency underscore the commitment of the Middletown Police Department to hold our police officers and one another to the highest professional and ethical standards,” stated Chief R. Craig Weber of the Middletown Township Police.
The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office initiated a Corruption Tip Line back in 2012 so that the public can report cases where corruption, fraud or misconduct is suspected: 855-7-UNJUST (855 786-5878). They can also email the department at corruption@mcponj.org and write “Corruption/Misconduct Tip” in the subject line.
Foster’s arrest is the 26th law enforcement officer criminally charged in Monmouth County since 2012.
