By: Richard L. Smith
Englishtown’s Chief of Police, Peter S. Cooke, 58, faces criminal charges following a detailed investigation, according to an announcement from Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago.
Cooke has been charged with third-degree computer theft and third-degree conspiracy to commit shoplifting.
The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Professional Responsibility Unit led the investigation, which revealed that from February 2019 to August 2023, Cooke allegedly used a law enforcement database to access information on two individuals for purposes unrelated to legitimate police work.
Further findings indicate that while on administrative leave, Cooke allegedly assisted a co-conspirator in multiple shoplifting incidents at a local grocery store during August and September 2024.
Cooke was served with a summons earlier this month, and his case is set to proceed in Monmouth County Superior Court.
The charges mark a significant development in the oversight of local law enforcement conduct as the investigation continues.