Middletown Police Officer Accused Of Lying About Cop Car Accident

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — A Middletown police officer was charged this week with falsifying a report after getting into an accident with his police cruiser last summer, Monmouth County Prosecutor Chris Gramiccioni announced on Wednesday.

Thomas E. Foster, 33, of Keyport, is charged with fourth-degree falsifying records.

“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," said Gramiccioni. "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."

Gramiccioni appeared to be referring to the negative public perception now facing police departments after a series of brutality cases led to mass protests in cities and towns across the country.

The incident allegedly happened on July 3, 2019 when Foster was the assigned officer to a road repair project on Cedar Avenue in Middletown. While on duty and working the job, Foster got into an accident with his patrol car, the MCPO said.

Foster filed a police vehicle accident and damage report with Middletown police, alleging that while he was reversing his vehicle out of a parking spot, he “contacted a telephone pole,” which was located near Foster’s home and only a few blocks away from the road work.

It was later discovered that Foster was involved in a motor vehicle accident where he backed the police cruiser into a parked pickup truck on Cedar Avenue, causing damage to both vehicles, alleged the county prosecutor.

It was a "conscientious fellow police officer" who suspected untruthfulness in Foster's report and immediately reported the incident to his superiors in the Middletown police force, according to Middletown police.

Middletown police began investigating and once criminality was suspected, Middletown police contacted the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, in accordance with Attorney General Guidelines when investigating a member of the police force. Foster has been placed on administrative duty since July of last year while the investigation was underway.

On Tuesday, he surrendered himself to the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office to be served with a summons complaint for the charge.

That same day, he was suspended from the Middletown police force without pay until the criminal charge is resolved. A first appearance in court for Foster has not yet been scheduled.

“Dishonesty will never be tolerated within our Department by any of our officers," said Middletown Police Chief R. Craig Weber. "The alleged conduct is unacceptable and does not reflect the values of our agency and we strongly condemn the officer’s actions."

"This incident demonstrates both the importance and the effectiveness of the police internal affairs function," Weber added.

"This officer’s criminal behavior is not reflective of his department or the county law enforcement community,” added Gramiccioni.

The charge comes with a maximum of 18 months in state prison.

Foster is represented by Charles J. Uliano, Esq., of Chamlin, Uliano & Walsh, in West Long Branch.

Foster has worked as a Middletown police officer since August 18, 2014. His arrest is the 26th law enforcement officer criminally charged in Monmouth County since 2012.