Part-Time Brick Police Officer Had 100 Child Porn Photos: Prosecutor

BRICK, NJ — A special officer in the Brick Township Police Department has been arrested on a charge of child pornography possession, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office announced.

John L. Kisch, 57, of Brick, was arrested Tuesday at his home, following an investigation into a tip from state authorities, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

Kisch, who had been employed by Brick as a Class I Special Officer since 2000, has been fired, Brick Township Business Administrator Joanne Bergin said.

"I am angered and saddened by the recent incident involving one of our part-time special police officers, who was arrested and charged with Possession of Child Pornography," Brick Township Police Chief David Forrester said. "I want to express my sincere regret and disappointment over the actions Mr. Kisch is accused of. They are inexcusable and do not represent the values and standards of the Brick Township Police Department. In response to the charges we took swift action and terminated his employment after 23 years with the Department."

"As a community, we understand the importance of protecting our children," Forrester said. "As a law enforcement agency, we are committed to the unwavering investigation and prosecution of those who exploit or harm our children. As a Chief, I am personally invested in the health and safety of everyone in our township. Together, we will continue to work to ensure child predators are brought to justice in the hopes to send a strong message that crimes against children are despicable and will not be tolerated."

"I assure you that the men and women of the Brick Township Police Department are dedicated to serving you with integrity, professionalism, and respect," he said. "We will continue do everything we can to honor our oath to protect and serve you."

The New Jersey State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force alerted Ocean County authorities after receiving tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that someone was uploading images of child pornography to the internet, Billhimer said.

The county's High Tech Crime Unit and tracked the activity to an IP address at a Brick home and ultimately identified Kisch as the person responsible, Billhimer said.

Detectives from the prosecutor's office, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the state police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force executed a search warrant at Kisch's home on Tuesday and seized a desktop computer, Billhimer said.

A forensic examination of the computer turned up more than 100 images of child pornography, he said.

Kisch has been charged with possession of child pornography and is being held at the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.

"Kisch is alleged to have possessed images of child pornography, every image is a risk to further victimize those being depicted," said Ricky J. Patel, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations Newark. "HSI special agents and our partners with the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office and the New Jersey State Police will continue to bring to justice those that are engaged in any activity involving the exploitation of our innocent children."

"We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to protect the most vulnerable among us," Billhimer said. "Children are most deserving of our unwavering commitment to investigating and prosecuting these types of offenses."

"These crimes are among the most reprehensible someone can commit as they affect innocent and vulnerable children," Bergin said. "We have – and will – continue to hold Brick Township employees to the highest standards. If convicted of these charges, the Township fully supports prosecution to the fullest extent of the law."

Note: This article has been updated with comment from Brick Township Police Chief David Forrester and Business Administrator Joanne Bergin.