The mayor of Edison promoted a group of police of officers Monday afternoon as a "new generation of police leadership" in a town where officials have worked to rehabilitate the reputation of the tarnished force.

Three of the officers had their own run-ins with the law a decade ago in two separate incidents involving nudity.

Among the 14 officers given a new rank on recommendations from Police Chief Thomas Bryan was Ioannis "John" Mpletsakis, who was originally fired a decade ago after he ran from the scene of a car crash while off-duty. Mpletsakis had no clothes on at the time.

A judge overturned his termination in 2007, ruling that Mpletsakis' discipline was too harsh.

The detective was promoted to sergeant by Mayor Thomas Lankey, who serves as the town's public safety director, in the council chambers at the Edison Municipal Complex.

"It is irresponsible - not to mention a bit reprehensible - for the media to dredge up decade-old incidents to besmirch these three officers," Bryan said. "Each has matured personally and professionally. Each routinely demonstrates their commitment to law enforcement and their concern for the Edison community. In short, they earned their promotions."

Two others, David Salardino and Brian Rossmeyer, were arrested in a hotel in Ocean City, Maryland, after reports came in of a naked man posing in front of a window, "flexing" to attract attention.

The two had pulled the blinds closed after a small crowd gathered outside the hotel, according to media reports at the time.

Salardino was charged with indecent exposure, but later pleaded guilty to a disorderly persons offense and was given 24 hours probation. Rossmeyer wasn't an officer at the time and it was unclear how his case was resolved.

Salardino joined the force in 1999 and Rossmeyer was hired in 2007. Rossmeyer was promoted to sergeant and Salardino to lieutenant.

"These promotions are based strictly on scores that each officer achieved on a rigorous written examination administered by an independent, California-based testing agency and on each officer's performance during oral interviews with our command staff," Bryan said, referring to the township's changes to the hiring and promotion system based on points adopted by the council in 2015.

"Our police department's compliment of officers is better educated and more professional than ever before," Lankey said. "We are now ushering in a new generation of police leadership who will bring fresh ideas and new approaches to meet the evolving challenges of municipal law enforcement."

Also promoted Monday to sergeant were patrolman Michael Felcetto and detectives Robert Duffy, Michael Horvath and Steve Todd. Promoted to lieutenant were sergeants Jeffrey Abrams, Michael Mintchwarner and Alan Sciarrillo. Promoted to captain were lieutenants Howard Askelson, Salvatore Filannino, Gregory Formica and Kenneth Schreck.

Craig McCarthy may be reached at 732-372-2078 or at CMcCarthy@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @createcraig and on Facebook here. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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