Patrol Section

The Patrol Section is comprised of uniformed police officers often referred to as the "backbone" of a police department. Its fundamental responsibilities include handling all emergencies, daily service calls and insuring public safety seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day. 

The East Brunswick Police Department's Patrol Section handles these tasks while maintaining the distinctive philosophy of proactive policing. Mobile patrols are highly visible and target specific problems or criminal trends within the boundaries of the Township. 

This analytical style of policing is efficient and results in the preservation of the high quality of life that the residents and businesses of East Brunswick have grown to expect.

The Patrol Section is structured with three platoons of uniformed officers. Each platoon is comprised of supervisors, a contingent of patrolmen, and communication dispatchers. The number of patrolmen and dispatchers vary depending on the workload of the particular shift.

The Patrol Section follows a strict chain-of-command.

Operations Division Commander: Captain Frank Sutter


Captain Frank Sutter graduated from the Somerset County Police Academy in June 2005, where he served as a team leader and received the “Matter of Pride” award for his accomplishments. From March 2013 to April 2014, he was assigned as a Detective to the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office Gangs, Guns, and Narcotics Task Force. After being promoted to the rank of Sergeant in February 2015, Captain Sutter was assigned to the Patrol Section, then the Administrative Division, where he served as the Assistant Administrative Division Commander. Finally, Captain Sutter was promoted to Lieutenant in August 2019 and was assigned to the Office of Professional Standards. There he served as the Accreditation Manager, Internal Affairs Officer, Public Information Officer, Drug Recognition Expert Instructor for the New Jersey State Police, and Firearms Instructor.

Captain Sutter has an Education Doctorate Degree (Ed.D.) and an Education Specialist Degree (Ed.S.) in Education Leadership, Management, and Policy from Seton Hall University. Also from Seton Hall, Captain Sutter has a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Human Resources, Training, and Development. Additionally, he obtained his Bachelor of Arts Degree (B.A.) with a double major in Criminal Justice and Psychology, a Certificate in Criminology, and a Minor in Sociology from Rutgers University. Lastly, Lieutenant Sutter graduated from the Rutgers University Certified Public Manager’s program (CPM) and most recently graduated from the New Jersey Association of Chiefs of Police Command and Leadership Academy.

Captain Sutter has a military background. He joined the United States Marine Corps in December 2000 and was honorably discharged in December 2008 as an E-6 (Staff Sergeant). Directly out of recruit training, he was awarded the Company and Platoon Honor Graduate. Captain Sutter also attended the United States Marine Corps Officer Candidate School and was awarded the Outstanding Marine Corps Officer Candidate award, but turned down his commission as a military officer to pursue his career as a Police Officer. While in Iraq, Captain Sutter served as a Police Transition Team advisor to the Iraqi Police. Additionally, he was the Logistics Chief for the Al Qa’im District during Operation Iraqi Freedom from March 2006 to June 2007.

In his career, Captain Sutter received two “DWI Top Gun Awards” for being the leading DWI Officer in Middlesex County in 2010 and 2011. In May 2012, Captain Sutter was given an award by the Middlesex County Freeholders for his accomplishments in DWI arrests. He was also given 4 MADD Awards, a Unit Citation, 4 Letters of Commendation, a Certificate of Appreciation, and a Life-Saving Award. Lastly, in 2013 Captain Sutter received the National Law Enforcement Award for New Jersey presented by the VFW.