Bruce Cocuzza would resign as Lambertville police director if he wins the election.
By Linda Seida, Staff Writer
LAMBERTVILLE The union that represents Hunterdon County sheriff’s officers has endorsed Lambertville Police Director Bruce Cocuzza for Hunterdon County sheriff in the Nov. 6 general election.
Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 94 Acting President Sean Gutsick said in a prepared statement that Mr. Cocuzza is “the best and most experienced person” for the job.
”I’m honored that the officers who are directly affected and who will be working with the next sheriff support me and show confidence in my ability to run the department,” Mr. Cocuzza said. “I’m particularly flattered they chose to go with me as opposed to someone who is currently a sheriff’s officer.”
Mr. Cocuzza, a Democrat, is running against Republican candidate Deborah Trout, a former Hunterdon County sheriff’s officer who is employed as a Mercer County sheriff’s officer.
Ms. Trout previously supported Mr. Cocuzza in his run for sheriff three years ago after losing her party’s nomination.
She and several fellow sheriff’s officers had sued incumbent Sheriff William Doyle for harassment. The officers reportedly won more than $600,000 in a settlement from the county.
Mr. Cocuzza declined to “slam” his opponent. He preferred to let his record speak for him, and he noted he has the supervisory experience she lacks.
”Nothing is more important than taking politics out of the sheriff’s office and renewing its commitment to keeping Hunterdon County’s communities safe places for families to live and raise their children,” Mr. Cocuzza said. “The sheriff’s office is suffering from a leadership vacuum. It is extremely humbling to know that the uniformed officers serving our county believe I am the right person to fill the void and restore integrity to the sheriff’s office.”
Mr. Cocuzza, a resident of Raritan Township, is a career law enforcement officer with more than 30 years of experience. He has been the police director in Lambertville since 1999.
He spent 24 years on the job with the New York City Police Department, retiring as a captain. He spent a year working in Trenton at the federal courthouse with the U.S. Marshals Service.
He serves on the New Jersey Police Training Commission, which oversees the training of all officers in the state, including those in the sheriff’s department.
If elected, Mr. Cocuzza said, he would overhaul the department, reviewing all areas of operations and reprioritizing functions to maximize efficiency and cost-effectiveness. He also said he would utilize state and federal grants to improve the department’s service.
He said he would resign as Lambertville’s police director if he wins the election.