New Law Enforcement Chief Named At Monmouth County SPCA

A Marlboro resident has been named as the new Monmouth County SPCA Chief of Law Enforcement.

Ross Licitra has more than 30 years of experience in law enforcement.

He and his family live on a Marlboro farm that is dedicated to rescued farm animals.

“I am excited and thrilled to bring two of my life passions together, law enforcement and animal welfare,” Licitra said in a prepared statement.

The former SPCA Chief Victor “Buddy” Amato resigned in March, hours after BuzzFeed News reported on the details of a lawsuit that claimed he sent racially and sexually biased text messages to coworkers.

According to a news release from the SPCA:

Licitra was most recently a Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office lieutenant in charge of narcotics investigations.

He grew up in Eatontown and is a graduate of Red Bank Catholic High School. He began his law enforcement career when he was 18-year-old and became a campus police officer at Monmouth University. He later transferred to the West Long Branch force, then joined the Prosecutor’s Office in 1986.

“Ross’s enthusiasm for animal welfare, extensive law enforcement background and dedication to ending animal cruelty makes him an excellent fit for the role of Chief of Law Enforcement,” Jerry Rosenthal, President and CEO of the Monmouth County SPCA said in a prepared statement.

Last year, the county SPCA investigated more than 1,000 animal cruelty cases.

Photo courtesy Monmouth County SPCA