Police Officer From Brick Accused Of Improper Use Of Law Enforcement Databases

FREEHOLD, NJ — A Brick Township man who is a police detective in Brielle is facing charges in Monmouth County after he accessed law enforcement databases to look up information on people in his personal life, the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office announced.

Brian M. Dreher, 37, has been charged with one count of third-degree computer theft, Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago said. Dreher is suspended without pay, authorities said.

Dreher is accused of accessing multiple databases from December 2020 to November 2023 to look up information on various people in his life, authorities said.

"Any transgression of this nature by an officer is unacceptable," Santiago said. "While this officer’s action is not indicative of the majority of our police officers across Monmouth County, we must continue to hold our officers responsible to build upon the trust of the community we serve."

"This is a very sad and disappointing situation," Brielle Police Chief Gary Olsen said. "When any officer engages in this type of conduct, he/she violates the trust and integrity of the community in which they have sworn to protect and serve. Police officers are held to a higher standard, and it is essential that we always do the right thing in order to maintain public confidence in our police department. Behavior such as this is unacceptable, and will never be tolerated."

Dreher graduated from the Monmouth County Police Academy in 2015 as part of the 88th class of officers, working for Brielle. He was promoted to detective in Brielle in January 2021.

The investigation was conducted by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Professional Responsibility Unit and the Brielle Police Department.