Although Mt. Laurel municipal offices are connected to the township’s police department, Mt. Laurel Council’s June 13 meeting had even more of a police presence than normal.
Dozens of police officers and other officials stood and watched as their colleague James Gripp was sworn in for his promotion to lieutenant and their colleague Michael Cresong was sworn in for his promotion to sergeant.
Mt. Laurel Police Chief Dennis Cribben spoke before those at the meeting and related several accomplishments of the two men, and specifically noted a timely role Gripp has in the department as it relates to recent events across the country.
Gripp, who has served with the department since 1997 after a tour of duty with the U.S. Marines, acts as the Mt. Laurel Police Department’s terrorism liaison officer.
Cribben said Gripp works with the Joint Terrorism Task Force comprised of county, state and federal agencies to share information on counter terrorism activities and potential threats known throughout the state.
With the recent mass shooting that occurred at the Pulse gay nightclub in Orlando, Fla., on June 12 that resulted in 49 people murdered and 50 others wounded, Cribben said the incident reinforced the need for the role Gripp serves.
“I’m looking forward to him continuing to serve in that position and continue to help protect Mt. Laurel from any terroristic activity,” Cribben said.
Cribben also identified Cresong as an outstanding officer for department.
Cribben said Cresong had been with the department since 2000 and has served as a member of the swat team, went through advanced traffic accident investigation training and has been involved in high profile detective cases.
“He’s done a great service to the Mt. Laurel community,” Cribben said.
Cribben also recognized acting Deputy Chief Stephen Riedener, who was recently selected to become the department’s permanent deputy chief.
Cribben said Riedener is undergoing the civil service process so he can assume the role permanently, and he looked forward to having Riedener back at a future council meeting to be officially sworn in to the position.
“It will ensure the future, long-term success of the police department and help us continue to provide the great level of service that our men and women of the Mt. Laurel Police Department do,” Cribben said.
Councilmember Rich Van Noord used his time during council comments to congratulate Gripp and Cresong, and said he was happy to have been part of recreating the deputy chief position.
“Our police department is one of the best in the country … it’s looked to as a model agency, and I just want to say I’m very proud of the department,” Van Noord said.
Councilmember Jim Keenan commented on the attack in Orlando as Cribben had done, and offered thoughts and prayers to those injured and to the families of those dead.
Keenan also called upon citizens of the nation to contact their elected representatives to ask them to put aside politics and prevent future attacks.
“It’s not the first time. We pray it is the last time,” Keenan said.
Councilmember Dennis Riley also said he wanted to convey a deep sadness for the Orlando attack, and said it was “truly a blessing” that Mt. Laurel had the police department that it does.
“For all those who defend our country under these circumstances, we stand united,” Riley said.
