On Dec. 15, I had the opportunity to read an article in a local daily newspaper on Public Safety Director Louis Napolatano. The context of this article disturbs me as a member and president of the Long Branch Policemen’s Benevolent Association (PBA) Local No. 10. Director Napolatano directly attacks the leadership of our organization as well as individuals. There were statements made that were unwarranted, and I question the context of Director Napolatano’s quotes about any of our members.
The nature of discussing personal as well as personnel matters in a newspaper is inappropriate and unethical — any conversations held between a superior and an officer behind closed doors should be held in strict confidence. The leadership of PBA Local No. 10 was questioned during the term of Director Napolatano, and this translates to the executive board members of the organization.
During Director Napolatano’s term, I served on the executive board as vice president to the organization, as did several others in various positions. There was a question of a personal matter between the director and the leadership of the PBA No. 10, specifically the past president, that led to a vote of no confidence.
The fact is, I will not discuss matters pertaining to the Local’s business and comment on the reasons behind the vote other than to say there were no improprieties with regard to a vote of no confidence; three-quarters of the membership were present, with two-thirds of that voting no confidence.
Director Napolatano stated that since the vote, nearly 30 officers had approached him privately to apologize for the vote, stating most of them didn’t realize what the vote was about. I do not deny any officers approached Director Napolatano, but maybe he should question why. If he could not see through this, maybe he was being a little naïve.
In closing, I feel confident the mayor and council have made the proper choice in Capt. William Richards for the new director of public safety for the City of Long Branch. From the list of candidates, I knew all but one, and feel that all possessed the qualifications for the position and each held their own area of expertise. The decision I am sure was a difficult one, but the right one. William Richards is a fair, yet by-the-book type of individual, and I look forward to working with him in the future as well as the current mayor and council of the city of Long Branch.
Scott A. Beaver
President
PBA Local No. 10
Long Branch