Acting Bordentown City police lieutenants pass state test, making their promotions from rank of sergeant to lieutenant permanent.
By: Scott Morgan
BORDENTOWN CITY The City Commission on Monday formally raised its two acting police lieutenants to that rank, paving the way to nominate one of them to the office of chief.
The appointments conclude a process that began one year ago when then-Sgts. Matt Simmons and Steve Mains were promoted to lieutenant on the condition that they pass a standardized state test. At the time, City Police Chief Philip Castagna was suspended, pending the outcome of a domestic violence case. Lts. Simmons, 48, and Mains, 49, were assigned the task of running the department in the absence of Chief Castagna.
In May, a Burlington County state Superior Court found the chief guilty of violating a domestic violence restraining order and stripped him of his position. An appeal is pending in that matter.
The lieutenants have been splitting administrative duties since they were named, provisionally, to head the department last spring. But they still needed to pass the state lieutenants’ test in October to make it official. In December, the acting lieutenants learned they had indeed passed their test, thus allowing the city to make the promotions permanent.
Lt. Simmons said that of all emotions he could feel, he feels relief the most. Now that he is a permanent lieutenant, he said, the pressure is off regarding his future and the leadership of the department.
"This allows us to move forward," he said.
Lt. Mains said much the same.
"I’m relieved that it’s over," Lt. Mains said of the fact that his rank is now secure. "I don’t have to look back over my shoulder anymore."