TRENTON, NJ — A federal judge has ruled that two Plainsboro police lieutenants may amend their lawsuit against the Township of Plainsboro and top local officials, allowing new claims and a new defendant to be added in a case alleging retaliation, harassment, and a rigged promotion process for police chief.
Lieutenants Brett J. Olma and John A. Bresnen filed suit after being passed over for chief of police in favor of Eamon Blanchard — a candidate they claim was promoted despite being ineligible under department rules. The court’s ruling, issued this week by U.S. District Judge Rukhsanah L. Quraishi, rejected the township’s argument that the proposed amendments were procedurally and legally futile.
The decision permits the plaintiffs to pursue additional causes of action stemming from what they describe as a retaliatory campaign after they objected to Blanchard’s promotion. Defendants named in the lawsuit include the Township of Plainsboro, Mayor Peter Cantu, Township Administrator Anthony Cancro, and, now, Blanchard himself.
According to the amended complaints, Blanchard was promoted to lieutenant in March 2022, shortly before then-Chief Fred Tavener announced plans to retire. Despite Blanchard’s short time at the rank, he was included in the formal process for selecting a new chief. Plaintiffs argue this violated General Order 1.2.7, which requires a mandatory probationary period in the lieutenant position before eligibility for promotion to chief.
When Olma and Bresnen objected, they allege they were met with hostility and retaliation. Olma filed a grievance in August 2022 contesting Blanchard’s eligibility. However, in June 2023 — just weeks after Blanchard completed one year in the lieutenant rank — he was officially promoted to chief over the plaintiffs. Their grievance was then dismissed as moot.
The amended lawsuit continues to pursue claims under the Equal Protection and Due Process clauses, the New Jersey Constitution, the state’s Conscientious Employee Protection Act (CEPA), breach of contract, and Monell liability — a doctrine that holds municipalities liable for constitutional violations stemming from official policies or customs.
Judge Quraishi’s ruling emphasized that the defendants’ objections were better suited for later dismissal motions, not at this early stage of litigation.
Key Points
- A federal judge has allowed two Plainsboro police lieutenants to amend their lawsuit over a disputed promotion to chief
- Plaintiffs allege retaliation and harassment after objecting to the promotion of Eamon Blanchard, whom they claim was ineligible
- The court found no procedural bar to the amendments, allowing additional claims and a new defendant
Two longtime Plainsboro cops are getting their day in court after claiming they were sidelined for chief while rules were bent to promote someone else.
