RARITAN — His grandfather, father and uncle all worked in law enforcement, and he grew up listening to the stories about law and order. Raritan Borough Police Chief Laurence R. Hess III, who had followed in their footsteps, today had to forfeit his position after pleading guilty to tampering with public records. Hess, 41, was appointed in the summer...
Raritan Borough Police Chief Laurence Hess III, who stepped down today after being accused of tampering with records.
RARITAN — His grandfather, father and uncle all worked in law enforcement, and he grew up listening to the stories about law and order. Raritan Borough Police Chief Laurence R. Hess III, who had followed in their footsteps, today had to forfeit his position after pleading guilty to tampering with public records.
Hess, 41, was appointed in the summer of 2008. His education and calm demeanor pushed him ahead of officers with more seniority. But an investigation by the Internal Affairs Unit of the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office revealed Hess submitted an official document with false information on Jan. 18.
Hess gave the prosecutor’s office a signed report indicating that every member of his department, including himself, had qualified with their service weapons, said Acting Somerset County Prosecutor A. Peter DeMarco Jr. Hess and one other officer had not qualified with their service weapons for the second half of 2009, as required by the state Attorney General’s Office, DeMarco said.Hess appeared before Superior Court Judge Paul Armstrong in Somerville today and pleaded guilty to the disorderly persons offense. As part of a deal struck between Assistant Prosecutor Thomas Chirichella and defense lawyer Jeffrey Garrigan, and approved by the Attorney General’s Office, the state will recommend Hess receive a non-custodial probationary term when he is sentenced on July 30.
Hess also signed a consent order barring him from working as a police officer and from holding future public employment, effective immediately. Hess agreed to the deal because he believed it was in the best interest of himself and his family, Garrigan said after court.
"He did not want to put his family through all of the things that are associated with having to defend yourself on a criminal case," he said.
The prosecutor’s office has been in control of the municipal department since March, with Deputy Chief Timothy Fitzgerald and Captain Christopher Shea stationed at headquarters. Fitzgerald is the prosecutor’s deputy chief of detectives and Shea is a captain in the prosecutor’s detective bureau.
Hess has been on administrative leave with pay, and was still receiving his $102,000 salary as of last week, said borough administrator Daniel Jaxel. Raritan Mayor Jo-Ann Liptak declined comment.
DeMarco said he will meet with Liptak and a council member tomorrow to discuss the future of the department.
Hess’ grandfather, Martin Kane Sr., was chief in North Plainfield. His uncle, Martin Kane Jr., was chief in Warren Township, and his father, Laurence Hess Jr., was a chief in the Hunterdon County Sheriff’s Office.
Hess started as a police dispatcher in Bound Brook and then became an emergency medical technician for the Elizabeth Police Department. He chose police work and obtained a master’s degree in administrative science from Fairleigh Dickinson University.