A North Plainfield police captain is on leave after allegedly crashing an unmarked patrol car with an open container of alcohol while on duty, officials said Friday.

Capt. Edward Ciempola, a 39-year veteran of the department, was involved in an accident on Otto Road in Branchburg Township on July 21, according to court records and police officials.

Ciempola was issued two municipal court summonses on Aug. 19 – nearly a month after the crash – for careless driving and for having an open container of alcohol or unsealed cannabis in a motor vehicle, court records show.

The captain, who is on paid administrative leave, is due to appear in Branchburg Township Municipal Court on Jan. 5.

His attorney, Michael Mitzner, did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

Ciempola has been on le

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