Phillipsburg Council President Frank McVey told police he wanted to make sure the town was safe and he was "in charge" since the town's leadership had not been heard from.
According to the Warren County Prosecutor's Office, Officer William Lance was arrested after investigators looked into an alleged incident from a couple years ago.
Thomas Ganley, 63, pleaded guilty to sexual assault Monday in Middlesex County Superior Court. He was a priest at St. Cecelia Church when the abuse happened.