NJ Police Captain Who Crashed While On Duty Had Alcohol Inside Car: Report

BRANCHBURG, NJ — A North Plainfield Police Captain is on paid administrative leave after being caught with alcohol in his car following a crash while on duty in Branchburg, according to NJ.com.

Edward Ciempola has been with the North Plainfield Police Department for more than 35 years.

The crash reportedly happened on Otto Road in Branchburg on July 21, according to court records obtained by NJ.com.

Ciempola was issued two municipal court summonses on Aug. 19 for careless driving and for having an open container of alcohol or unsealed cannabis in a motor vehicle, according to NJ.com.

"I cannot comment currently on any specifics due to a pending investigation. He is currently on paid administrative leave," confirmed North Plainfield Police Chief Alan McKay to Patch.

As of Friday, Branchburg Police Captain Edward Edgar confirmed to Patch that there is still currently an ongoing investigation into the crash involving Ciempola.

An OPRA request by Patch for the arrest report and body-worn camera footage was denied by Branchburg and the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office(SCPO) in September and again in December.

"Please be advised that the records requested are part of an 'ongoing investigation' and, therefore, exempt from release until the investigation is finalized," according to Branchburg Township.

"The records that you are purportedly seeking pertain to an ongoing investigation, and it is the SCPO’s position that the release of any potentially responsive materials would be inimical to the public interest at this juncture," according to the SCPO.

Ciempola is expected to appear in Branchburg Township Municipal Court on Jan. 5, 2026, according to NJ.com.

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