City OKs three-year pact for police director

Bruce Cocuzza has been reappointed through March 31, 2009.

By: Linda Seida
   LAMBERTVILLE — The City Council has reappointed Bruce Cocuzza as police director through March 31, 2009.
   "I look forward to continuing my tenure as police director and serving the public for another three years," Mr. Cocuzza said. "I’m anxious to address some of the challenges we’re seeing. I want to continue our focus on traffic enforcement and quality of life issues, particularly."
   The council approved the contract April 6 with an effective date of April 1.
   Mr. Cocuzza, 53, has held the top job in the Police Department since 1999. Previously he was a captain in the New York City Police Department. When he retired from the force, he became a U.S. marshal, serving in Trenton.
   "We’re very pleased with Bruce’s performance and where he’s taken the department," Mayor David Del Vecchio said. "There’s no question the department is probably the best it’s ever been."
   During the early 1990s, the city Police Department was in such a shambles, it was taken over by the county prosecutor’s office. Later the city hired Al Varga, who preceded Mr. Cocuzza as police director.
   Since he’s come on board, Mr. Cocuzza said the officers have become better trained, more disciplined and more motivated.
   It’s an assessment the local PBA agreed with in 2004 when Mr. Cocuzza made an unsuccessful bid for the position of county sheriff.
   As the race wore on, Detective Aaron Lacey said, "He has helped modernize the Police Department. He’s brought in a new era of law enforcement. A level of professionalism has come to Lambertville. He’s made it a very smooth-running organization. The department has certainly thrived under Director Cocuzza’s direction."
   The respect seems to runs both ways.
   Mr. Cocuzza said, "It’s been a pleasure working with the mayor and the council. We have an outstanding police force so it makes it easy."
   "Bruce Cocuzza has been a wonderful addition to the Police Department," council President Cynthia Ege said. "His knowledge, experience and personality are the backbone of our Police Department. I think he has raised the level of expectation within our own department and has been a good role model. I’m so happy that we are continuing this good working relationship, for the city as well as for our employees."
   "Bruce makes sure residents’ concerns are addressed," Mayor Del Vecchio said. In addition, "In terms of making things public, they’ve professionalized news out of the department."
   The mayor could not say how much of a raise the reappointment carries. That will be determined when the council passes a salary and wage ordinance.
   "We haven’t finalized that yet," Mayor Del Vecchio said.
   In 2005, the city’s budget listed Mr. Cocuzza’s salary at $63,500, but he does not receive health benefits.