WARREN — The son of the North Plainfield police chief, has been charged with driving while intoxicated, just months after his own swearing in as a fourth-generation member of the force, authorities said.
William Parenti Jr., 22, of Berkeley Heights was arrested during a police investigation of an apparent disabled motor vehicle incident on Mt. Bethel Road at about 2 a.m. on May 16, according to Capt. Robert Glen of the Warren Township Police.
Parenti Jr. was charged with driving while intoxicated, refusal to submit to a breath test, careless driving and obstructing passage of other vehicles, Glen said.
Parenti was processed and released to a family member, Glen said.
That family member was North Plainfield Police Chief William G. Parenti, according to the elder Parenti.
"As a person first, we're heartbroken, the whole family," Parenti said by telephone Thursday. "It took me a few days to call my Dad and explain — it's a very tough time for us on a personal level. But on a professional level, he will be treated like any other officer."
The chief's father is the retired North Plainfield Chief, Anthony Parenti. His grandfather was also a police officer.
Parenti Jr. was sworn into the force in January of this year.
Chief Parenti said that for indictable crimes or higher, an officer would be suspended without pay, but for traffic violations such as this one, the officer is presumed innocent for departmental purposes, according to the state attorney general guidelines.
"If we would suspend him now, we'd be paying him to stay at home," Chief Parenti said. "So our policy is always, innocent until proven guilty, but even if he is found not guilty, there will be disciplines regardless."
According to the attorney general guidelines, the case will go through the courts, then internal affairs will investigate, with the officer having a chance to plead guilty or to request a hearing, Chief Parenti said.
"No matter what the outcome is, the internal affairs investigation will take place, and discipline will be recommended, for any officer," he said.
Chief Parenti said his son is "miserable, heartbroken," and has been home the last few days off duty.
"He feels terrible about it," Parenti said. "He embarrassed myself, his grandfather — he's a young man but he's hurt himself with this serious charge."
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