Policeman who is subject of complaint leaves dept.

APlumsted police lieutenant who is facing a sexual harassment civil lawsuit from a former officer in the Plumsted Police Department has resigned from the force.

In a related matter, the township attorney said a prosecutor's review of charges against the lieutenant will not be shared with the public at this time.

In response to a question from the Tri- Town News, Plumsted Mayor Ron Dancer said Plumsted police Lt. George Titko resigned from the force on July 2, two days prior to the 45-day period to file charges.

Titko went on paid administrative early this year, but he is no longer receiving administrative leave. He will be paid for 29 of his 40 remaining earned vacation days (he loses 11 vacation days). He is being terminated for health benefits as of July 31, according to the mayor.

In January, Dancer said that a civil action complaint alleging sexual harassment had been filed in Superior Court naming Titko and the Plumsted Police Department as defendants. The plaintiff in the case is Suzanne Des Marais, a former Plumsted special law enforcement officer.

Prior to the filing of the civil action complaint, the township provided the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office with information pertaining to certain allegations, and the township requested the prosecutor's office to conduct a review, according to the mayor.

In consultation with the prosecutor's office, the township placed Titko on paid administrative leave, he said.

In May, Dancer said the prosecutor's office had completed its administrative review in the matter. He said the prosecutor's office delivered its report to the township attorney.

Township Attorney Steve Foran told the Tri-Town News this week that the contents of the prosecutor's report on the matter will not be shared with residents.

Foran said he has seen the information from the prosecutor's office, but would not comment on the matter.

He said an investigation is still in progress which involves a claim of sexual harassment and said that information is exempt from release under New Jersey's Open Public Records Act.

"We are not making any comment. This is for the protection of all the parties involved. It's not fair to the lieutenant or the person making the complaint … until the investigation is completed, then we'll see where it goes," Foran said.

At this point in time the Township Committee does not have an opinion on the matter, the attorney said.

Foran said the matter is being handled by Plumsted's labor attorney, James Holzapfel.

Holzapfel did not return messages left by the Tri-Town News.

Des Marais, who has filed the pending civil complaint against Titko, was appointed as a part-time special law enforcement officer by the Township Committee on Feb. 26, 2007. She became the first female officer in Plumsted's history.

Prior to joining the Plumsted Police Department, Des Marais was employed by the Long Branch Police Department in Monmouth County for nine years. office had completed its administrative review in the matter. He said the prosecutor's office delivered its report to the township attorney.

Township Attorney Steve Foran told the Tri-Town News this week that the contents of the prosecutor's report on the matter will not be shared with residents.

Foran said he has seen the information from the prosecutor's office, but would not comment on the matter.

He said an investigation is still in progress that involves a claim of sexual harassment and said that information is exempt from release under New Jersey's Open Public Records Act.

"We are not making any comment. This is for the protection of all the parties involved. It's not fair to the lieutenant or the person making the complaint … until the investigation is completed, then we'll see where it goes," Foran said.

At this point in time the Township Committee does not have an opinion on the matter, the attorney said.

Foran said the matter is being handled by Plumsted's municipal labor attorney, James Holzapfel.

Holzapfel did not return messages left by the Tri-Town News.

Des Marais, who has filed the pending civil complaint against Titko, was appointed as a part-time special law enforcement officer by the Township Committee on Feb. 26, 2007. She became the first female officer in Plumsted's history.

Prior to joining the Plumsted Police Department, Des Marais was employed by the Long Branch Police Department in Monmouth County for nine years.

Contact Mark Rosman at gmntnews@gmnews.com.