The Alternative Press

SUMMIT, NJ - Summit Police Chief Robert Weck has announced the department’s first assignment of a female
police officer to its Detective Bureau.

Police Officer Elizabeth Rice, now Detective Rice, joined the Summit Police Department in July 2006 after transferring from the Bedminster Township Police Department. During her years in Summit, Rice has been assigned to the plain-clothes Anti-Crime Unit and the Community Policing Unit, and is a certified Bicycle Patrol Officer and Crisis Intervention Team Officer. She has also been an instructor in the Summit Police Youth Academy.

Rice’s service has been recognized several times. She and another Summit police officer were presented with the Chief’s Award for Meritorious Service for resuscitating an individual with no signs of life. She also received the Chief’s Exceptional Duty Award for locating and, along with two other officers, safely arresting an armed man who had recently held up two women at knifepoint. In addition, she received an Honorable Service award for an arrest resulting in the seizure of a substantial amount of cocaine, ammunition, and cash.

Rice has participated with other Summit PBA Local #55 members in the Police Unity Tour for Fallen Police Officers, as well as Special Olympics related events such as the Law Enforcement Torch Run, Polar Bear Plunge, and Newark Airport Plane Pull. Elizabeth is a member of The New Jersey Honor Legion and the New Jersey Narcotics Association.

Rice has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University, and is currently working towards a Masters of Administrative Science. Her husband, Sgt. John R. Rice, Sr., is also a member of the Summit Police Department and they are expecting their first child in September.