POLICE SERGEANTS RECEIVE EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE CITATIONS

Committeewoman Cate Oakley and Mayor Ellen Nerbak present Detective Sergeant Robert Emery and Sergeant Newman with Exceptional Service Citations on behalf of the Township Committee.

On January 14, 2008 Detective Sergeant Robert Emery observed a white Dodge pick up pulling a trailer near the intersection of Rt. 57 and Port Murray Rd. Sgt. Emery had intelligence that a vehicle meeting the description had been stealing utility trailers in the area. Sgt. Emery had identified the driver as a suspect in these thefts.

Sgt. Emery had Sgt. Patricia Mannon assist him in stopping the vehicle on Rt. 57 near the old Tri-County Firehouse. The driver and passenger were identified. Upon checking it was determined that one of the suspects was wanted by Union County Sheriffs department, Roselle Park and Parsippany.

He was placed under arrest for these warrants. Both parties were brought to police headquarters to be questioned in the trailer thefts. One of the suspects admitted to Sgt. Emery possession of at least six stolen trailers. Both parties were charged with theft and possession of stolen property. These thefts covered Independence Twp, Lopatcong Twp, Washington Twp, Hampton, and Glen Gardner. This investigation is still on going due to the scope of this theft ring.

In October 2007, Sergeant James Newman was tasked with creating a School Security Plan for the elementary school. Sgt. Newman began immediately by contacting the school to see their needs. He then contacted other police departments, and went to observe their programs. He then met with members of the Warren County Tactical Unit to see what training was available. He then created a comprehensive plan encompassing any act, which would threaten the school and the children who attend the school.

He then took this further by securing the equipment that the officers would use encase of and emergency. This was done by a donation from Home Depot and securing Rifles for each officer, by meeting with the Mansfield Township Committee.

Sgt. Newman has also met with Mansfield Twp. Department of Public Works, Mansfield Rescue Squad, Mansfield’s Fire Companies, NJ DOT, Mansfield School Superintendent, Warren County Tactical Unit and mutual aid police departments to explain the plan and provide them a copy of their responsibilities during and emergency.

For their exemplary and exceptional efforts we cite Detective Sergeant ROBERT EMERY and Sergeant James Newman and commend them for their EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE on behalf of the citizens of the Township of Mansfield.