ASBURY PARK – Two men with careers in law enforcement admitted in court that they slashed tires and broke a window belonging to someone who filed a complaint against them.
Asbury Park Police Officer Stephen Martinsen, 31, and former Special Law Enforcement Officer, Class 2 Thomas Dowling, 27, both of Asbury Park, said they targeted someone who filed an internal affairs complaint against them.
They entered their pleas before Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Vincent N. Falcetano, Jr., according to an announcement from Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.
They pleaded guilty to fourth-degree Criminal Mischief before in connection to the vandalism of two vehicles, one in Ocean Grove and one in Asbury Park, between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. on Sept. 3, 2019. They admitted that they targeted the owner of the vehicles because they had filed a complaint against them with the Asbury Park Police Department.
Martinsen has been suspended without pay since the incident. He had started with the department in 2013 as a Class 1 officer and became a full-time member of the force in 2017. Dowling was terminated when the initial charges were filed. He had been with the department since 2015.
As part of their plea agreements, the defendants will never be able to be hired for government work in New Jersey.
“Spiteful retaliation from law enforcement officers towards a citizen for any reason is an unacceptable option. This is in no way condoned at any level, for any reason. All members of the law enforcement community must maintain the public’s trust by conducting themselves at the highest level of integrity and decency,” Gramiccioni said.
“The cooperative efforts of the Asbury Park Police Department’s Internal Affairs Unit and the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office’s Professional Responsibility Unit is a clear example of how effective our current internal affairs policies are. These officers were held accountable for their actions and misconduct and we will continue to hold our officers responsible to build upon the trust of the community that we serve,” Asbury Park Police Chief David Kelso said.
