BRICK TOWNSHIP, N.J. — More than a month after Brick Township Police Chief David Forrester was placed on administrative leave, township officials still have not publicly explained why one of Ocean County’s top law enforcement leaders abruptly stepped away from the job. Repeated requests for comment from Shore News Network reportedly went unanswered, adding to growing questions surrounding the leadership change inside one of New Jersey’s largest municipal police departments.
Nobody in Brick Township knows why, and the township, including Mayor Lisa Crate have not publicly addressed the matter.
Internal emails obtained through a public records request confirmed that Forrester was placed on administrative leave on April 20, 2026. Captain Henry Drew immediately assumed command as acting police chief, according to correspondence sent to senior officials within the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.
“Chief Forrester is out on Administrative Leave. Effective immediately, I am serving as the Acting Chief of Police,” Drew wrote in an email to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer and other county law enforcement officials.
The township has not issued a public statement about the situation, and officials have not clarified whether the leave involves an internal administrative matter, a personnel dispute, or another issue entirely.
Prosecutor’s Office Emails Confirm Leadership Change
The emails, released through an Open Public Records Act request, show that the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office was informed of the leadership transition the same day the leave took effect. The correspondence included Chief of Detectives Casey Long and First Assistant Prosecutor Michael Nolan, signaling that county law enforcement leadership was aware of the situation immediately.
The records themselves contained little additional information beyond confirming the leave status and interim command structure. Portions of the documents were redacted for privacy reasons, and no explanation for Forrester’s absence was included in the materials.
Administrative leave for a police chief can stem from several causes, including internal investigations, disciplinary reviews, contract disputes, or medical matters. Placement on leave does not by itself indicate criminal wrongdoing or misconduct.
Still, the lack of transparency from township leadership has fueled speculation throughout the community and across local political circles.
Key Points
• Internal emails confirm Brick Police Chief David Forrester was placed on administrative leave April 20, 2026
• Acting Chief Henry Drew assumed command immediately, according to emails sent to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office
• Brick Township officials have repeatedly declined to comment on the reason for the leave
Political Claims Surface Online
Adding to the controversy, the local political and community commentary platform Brick Breakdown published unverified claims alleging township officials attempted to pressure Forrester into retirement following tensions with Business Administrator Joanne Bergin. The publication alleged Bergin previously sought a vote of no confidence through the police union and later negotiated a retirement arrangement that would allow Forrester to continue receiving compensation and benefits through the end of the year.
Could Bergin and the township have finally found a reason to force the chief out? We don’t know at this time.
According to the publication, the proposed arrangement would include continued salary payments, accumulated leave compensation, legal fee coverage, and retirement health benefits.
No public documents released so far confirm those claims.
Silence From Township Leaders Raises Transparency Questions
The continued silence from township officials has become a story of its own, particularly because the leadership change affects a major police department serving one of Ocean County’s largest municipalities.
Neither Brick Township nor the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office has publicly stated whether any investigation exists or whether Forrester remains on leave. Officials also have not clarified whether he is expected to return to duty.
The absence of public information has drawn criticism from residents and observers who argue that leadership changes involving senior public safety officials warrant at least a limited explanation to taxpayers.
Public agencies in New Jersey often decline to comment on personnel matters involving active employees, especially when legal or labor issues may be involved. However, critics say the complete lack of acknowledgment from township leadership has allowed rumors and speculation to fill the void.
The records reviewed through the OPRA request were obtained through the public records platform Opramachine.
What Happens Next Remains Unclear
As of this week, Acting Chief Henry Drew continues leading the department while officials remain publicly silent about Forrester’s status.
No criminal charges, disciplinary findings, or investigative reports involving the chief have been announced. Likewise, no township meeting agendas or resolutions publicly detailing personnel action involving Forrester have been released.
Until officials provide additional information, the circumstances surrounding the chief’s leave — and whether it represents a temporary administrative measure or the beginning of a permanent transition — remain unresolved.
One thing we do know is that the move appears to be permanent, as Chief Forrester has been removed from the township website’s Chief of Police page, replaced by Acting Chief of Police Drew’s photo and biography.
