Retiring police captain served in every division of department

By JENNIFER AMATO
Staff Writer

 Capt. Roger Reinson Capt. Roger Reinson NORTH BRUNSWICK — After spending nearly 26 years in law enforcement, Roger Reinson has retired as captain of the North Brunswick Police Department.

Initially hired in January 1990, Reinson was promoted to sergeant in 1994, lieutenant in 2001 and then captain in 2012.

With a background in construction, he decided to take the civil service test at the suggestion of a friend. Since then, he said he has never looked back.

“I wouldn’t change a thing,” he said. “Who knew 26 years later I’d be captain of a police department?”

Reinson attended the 225th session of the FBI National Academy in 2006, becoming the third representative from North Brunswick to complete the prestigious 10- week leadership-training program in Quantico, Virginia.

“It was a great honor to be part of that organization,” Reinson said, noting it was challenging to balance the academy with his family life. “It’s a networking environment that I will still be a part of.”

Over the years within North Brunswick, Reinson was involved in the Straight Up program, was a liaison to the Homeland Security Counter Terrorism Task Force, acted as liaison to the school safety board, served as the head of Internal Affairs, managed both the Patrol Division and the Detective Bureau, and was the public information officer for the department.

“All [of my fellow officers] did their job, which made it easier for me,” he said.

Attaining the rank of captain cemented Reinson’s career.

“I always took my career one step at a time,” he said. “Through hard work I was able to achieve [the rank of] captain. … It was a personal achievement.”

However, he decided it was time to move forward with the next stage of his life.

“I enjoyed my job, going to work everyday,” he said. “There’s always more to do and something else to do.

“I miss the people I worked with for such a long period of time … and the daily challenges of law enforcement, in general, because it’s constantly changing.”

Contact Jennifer Amato at jamato@gmnews.com.