Long Branch Patrolman Named Officer Of The Month

The Long Branch Police Department has named Patrolman Nicholas Romano as ”Officer of the Month” for his work in the March arrest of drug dealer who fled the scene and later resisted arrest.

Romano pulled over William Coleman of Long Branch near Joline and Coleman avenues on at 9 a.m. on March 18 during a routine traffic stop. But it stopped being routine when Coleman bolted from the vehicle and began to run from the scene.

Romano began a foot pursuit, caught up to Coleman and placed him under arrest.

“Throughout the entire incident. Mr. Coleman was uncooperative, ignored P.O. Romano’s orders, physically resisted the arrest and even attempted to disarm Romano,“ reads the proclamation. “Officer Romano was able to keep the situation under control and, with the assistance of responding Officers, Det. Decker and S.O. Dinero, prevent it from escalating.”

Coleman had 236 envelopes of suspected crack, cocaine, several envelopes of suspected heroin, numerous pre-paid debit cards and a stack of money totaling over $3,000 when he was arrested, police said.

Coleman was charged with possession of heroin, possession of crack cocaine, possession with intent to distribute, distribution within feet of a school zone, obstructing the administration of law, and disarming a law enforcement officer, police said.

Romano was sworn in as a full-time officer on April 1, 2013. He was born in Neptune, and graduated from Ocean Township High School in 2002. He worked for Long Branch DPW for three years until he enlisted for the United States Navy. Romano served in the U.S. Navy from 2006 until 2010 when he was honorably discharged.