Promotions follow chief’s
appointment in Monroe
MONROE — Within only a few months of the promotion of a new police chief, more changes took place on the township’s police force this month as Mayor Richard Pucci swore in two recently promoted police officers.
In a March 4 ceremony, John Kraivec was promoted from lieutenant to captain, a position that was formerly held by George Doerfler, who became the new police chief during a Jan. 1 ceremony. Doerfler replaced former Chief Richard Garvey, who retired after working for the department since 1968.
Also at the March 4 Township Council meeting, Sgt. Kenneth Huard was promoted to the position of lieutenant, one of three on the township’s police force.
"All of us should know that, truly we are a very fortunate community to have the quality of people serving us day and night, seven days a week, protecting and caring for our community," Councilman Hank Miller said. "We truly do have a fine police force, and I agree with the mayor — they are second to none."
The new police captain will oversee most of the force’s internal operations under Doerfler’s guidance. The chief noted that the township’s low crime rate contributes to the structure of the police force, which currently has no deputy chief, Doerfler said.
"Each police department has its own unique structure," Doerfler said. "Some towns have up to three deputy chiefs. There are a lot of factors considered (in creating that position) — crime rate, response time, population and traffic patterns.
"Monroe has had one of the lowest crime rates in Middlesex County," Doerfler said. "We’ve had a low crime rate for a few years. It’s been pretty consistent."
Doerfler also cited the low incidence of traffic accidents and the township’s demographics as other reasons why the police force has no need to create a deputy chief position.
"We have many seniors and many professionals," Doerfler said. "Most of the accidents we see are minor fender benders."
Recently, a number of senior citizens were involved in car accidents, one of which led to the death of Mary Fetchko, 80, who was in an accident on Applegarth Road on March 1. Murray Adler, 74, and his wife, Bella, 73, were killed March 11 after their car struck a truck on Union Valley Road.
Doerfler said the recent deaths do not reflect a higher incidence of car accidents involving seniors and that it would be unfair to make a correlation between drivers’ ages and the rate of involvement in traffic accidents. About 40 percent of the township population is comprised of residents age 65 and older.
"If you’re in a town full of seniors, who’s going to have accidents?" Doerfler said. "It’s unfair to say they’re involved in more accidents. I think it’s unfortunate that (seniors) are going to be involved in accidents, but it’s not because they’re seniors. It’s because they live here."
Doerfler also attributed the low rate of traffic accidents in the township to the low number of cars on the road at night.
"We’re not an entertainment area," Doerfler said of the township, noting that the lack of nightclubs or shopping centers keeps the roads free from heavy traffic patterns at night.
"You have a different type of population in the township," Doerfler said. "We have a lot of professional people."