Carteret PD Failed To Do Background Checks Issuing Gun Permits

CARTERET, NJ — The Carteret Police Department is being investigated by the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office for the way they issue gun permits. The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office has learned that numerous permits to purchase firearms and/or Firearms Purchaser identification Cards (FPIC), issued by the Carteret Police Department, have been issued without a proper and complete investigation as required by state law.

For example, the Middlesex County Prosecutor says that since about 2015, required background checks have not been properly conducted. That includes failure to verify mental health status, as well as verifying the existence or absence of criminal records.

This is only the most recent black eye for the Carteret police department: A Carteret police officer was indicted last year for violently beating up a teenage boy. The Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office is bringing the charges. The police officer, Joseph Reiman, 31, is the brother of Carteret Mayor Dan Reiman. Read: Carteret Police Officer Charged With Beating Of Teen

Thirty-eight or so possible permits to purchase firearms were given out by the Carteret Police Department without proper investigation, the prosecutor said. In five cases, which exhibited serious statutory deficiencies, the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office has filed documents with the New Jersey Superior Court seeking revocation of those firearms permits.

Carteret Police Director Kenneth Lebrato, and other members of the Carteret Police Department are cooperating with the Prosecutor’s Office in an effort to rectify the problem.

The NJ State Police have taken over the issuance of gun permits in Carteret, the prosecutor said.

"The assistance of the NJSP will continue until the Prosecutor’s Office is assured that the Carteret Police Department has remedied all procedural issues," said Prosecutor Andrew Carey in a statement.

Anyone with information is asked to call Sergeant Michael Daniewicz of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-745- 4018.

The exterior of Carteret police headquarters on Roosevelt Avenue via Google Earth.