BY JESSICA SMITH
Staff Writer
JESSICA SMITH The newly promoted Old Bridge police sergeants, (from left) Carmen Spitale Jr., Donald Fritz Jr., Thomas Noble and Scott Gumprecht are pictured with Police Chief Thomas Collow at Monday’s Township Council meeting. OLD BRIDGE – Four township police officers were promoted to the rank of sergeant at the Township Council meeting Monday.
The room was filled to capacity with friends and family of the officers, who received a standing ovation after being sworn in.
“Their job will be a tough one,” said Chief Thomas Collow. “But I know they’re up to the task.”
Thomas Noble is a 21-year veteran of the force and has served in both the patrol and detective bureaus. Throughout his career, he has received numerous awards and commendations for his achievements. He has been assigned as a supervisor in the patrol bureau, where he has served as an acting sergeant. His father is a retired detective sergeant with the South Amboy Police Department.
Carmen Spitale Jr., also a 21-year veteran, is following closely in his father’s footsteps. Carmen Spitale Sr. is a retired sergeant with the Old Bridge Police Department.
Spitale Jr. has worked in the patrol and special operations bureaus of the department, where his outstanding accomplishments have been recognized with multiple awards and commendations. In his new capacity as sergeant, Spitale will serve as a supervisor of the traffic and safety unit.
Donald Fritz Jr. has been with the department for 15 years, primarily serving on the patrol bureau. He is also a certified instructor for the police force, and is a member of the Middlesex County Special Operations Team. His father, of the same name, is a retired captain with the department. An acting sergeant for several months before his official promotion, Fritz Jr. will serve as a supervisor in the patrol bureau.
Scott Gumprecht has served in both the patrol and detective bureaus during his 13 years on the force. In addition, he has worked as a Drug Abuse Resistance Education officer and is considered to be the “go-to guy” for in-service training, according to Collow. He was a staff sergeant in the Army before joining the police department.
Gumprecht will serve as a supervisor in the patrol bureau.
“For him to get promoted at this point is a pretty good achievement,” Lt. Robert Moser said.
Collow noted that Gumprecht ranked No. 1 in all three phases of the testing to become a sergeant. The tests consist of a written test, an oral test administered by the International Association of Chiefs of Police, and an oral test administered by the department.
Members of the council congratulated the officers, and the high school’s varsity cheerleading squad, who were there to receive awards of recognition, honored the officers with a cheer.