Two North Plainfield police officers were fired in separate disciplinary cases, including one officer who lost his law enforcement certification following a final restraining order and another who admitted submitting a fraudulent doctor’s note, according to New Jersey’s Major Discipline Report.
The North Plainfield Police Department terminated two officers after separate incidents involving a revoked police license and a criminal forgery case, according to disciplinary records released by the State of New Jersey.
The cases involving Detective Richard Dow and Patrolman Thomas Kirse were included in New Jersey’s 2025 Major Discipline Report, which publicly identifies serious disciplinary actions taken against law enforcement officers.
Detective Fired After Police License Revoked
According to the report, Detective Richard Dow was terminated after losing his Police Training Commission certification.
The disciplinary record states that Dow became the subject of a Final Restraining Order issued by the Superior Court of New Jersey in Middlesex County.
As a result, his Police Training Commission license was first suspended and later revoked.
Under New Jersey law, officers generally cannot serve as sworn law enforcement personnel without a valid Police Training Commission certification.
Following a departmental hearing, Dow was terminated from the North Plainfield Police Department.
Officer Submitted Fraudulent Doctor’s Note
In a separate case, Patrolman Thomas Kirse was fired after investigators determined he knowingly submitted a forged doctor’s note to excuse an absence from work.
According to the report, the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office investigated the matter and charged Kirse with uttering a forged document, a fourth-degree crime under New Jersey law.
Officials said the note was submitted to the department as documentation supporting a sick leave absence.
Guilty Plea Led to Permanent Ban
The disciplinary report states that Kirse ultimately pleaded guilty to the criminal charge.
As part of his resolution, he entered New Jersey’s Pre-Trial Intervention program and agreed never to hold a law enforcement position in the state again.
Following the criminal case, North Plainfield terminated his employment.
Cases Included in State Discipline Report
Both officers were listed as terminated in the state’s annual major discipline disclosure, which requires police agencies to report significant disciplinary actions involving sworn personnel.
Neither case involved suspensions or demotions prior to termination, according to the report.
The disciplinary records reflect separate incidents and unrelated investigations.
Key Points
• Detective Richard Dow was terminated after a final restraining order led to the suspension and revocation of his Police Training Commission license.
• Patrolman Thomas Kirse was fired after pleading guilty to submitting a forged doctor’s note to excuse an absence from work.
• Kirse agreed never to serve as a law enforcement officer in New Jersey again as part of his criminal case resolution.
