By Audrey Levine, Staff Writer
The job has previously been part time in the department, but increasing demands for technology in aiding police officers has led to the Hillsborough department preparing for it to be full time, as of April 1.
”There has always been an information technology (IT) position, however, it was split between an officer’s (regular) role and the information technology role,” Hillsborough Police Chief Paul Kaminsky said. “But the daily demands on this position have steadily increased over the years, and have forced us to develop this position as a full time position.”
The Township Committee unanimously approved a resolution Feb. 8 to hire Cpl. Michael Pineno as the department’s information technology manager following his retirement on March 31.
Cpl. Pineno currently performs his information technology duties in addition to his regular work as an officer with the department.
”The staff has become more technologically reliant,” Mayor Frank DelCore said at the Feb. 8 meeting. “The police department has been using Cpl. Pineno for the job, but he cannot do both because it is too much responsibility.”
According to the resolution, Cpl. Pineno will be appointed to his new position with an annual salary of $89,000; his former position will not be filled.
”The information technology position is one that needs to be filled,” Committeeman Anthony Ferrera said. “We haven’t had to do maintenance contracts because Cpl. Pineno has been taking care of it. But this is a good decision, and is cost effective.”
In the new position, Chief Kaminsky said, Cpl. Pineno will be responsible for managing the day to day aspects of the department’s information and technology division, working on the network and performing other tasks.
”He will design, troubleshoot and provide technical guidance for our entire computer network,” Chief Kaminsky said. “He will also analyze network and infrastructure services requirements, perform cost analysis, manage systems, manage projects, (and) assist with complex IT deployment activities.”
The job will also entail supporting disaster recovery and continuity processes, and handling any problems that come up in the network, Chief Kaminsky said.
”It is distinguished from other technical positions by the requirement to demonstrate advanced expertise in the area of network implementation, maintenance and support and overall knowledge on client/server and related systems hardware and software integration,” he said.
According to Chief Kaminsky, the position has become highly technical and professional, as the department has moved from handwritten reports and manual typewriters to the use of multiple servers, in addition to workstations, routers switches, wireless technology and other specialized systems for the daily functions of the police.
This all includes, Chief Kaminsky said, maintaining network security that meets state and federal standards, ensuring the functions of the mobile police laptops, handling surveillance systems, maintaining messaging systems and ensuring security.
While serving on the department, Chief Kaminsky said, Cpl. Pineno has been doing IT work in the department for about 10 years, as it has grown from a part time position to one that requires full time resources to handle all the computer-related activity.
”It is a position where the responsibility and technical requirements have steadily increased with the advanced technology and computerized systems available to law enforcement today,” he said.
Over the years, Chief Kaminsky said, Cpl. Pineno has proven to be able to handle many technical computer tasks that would normally have to be outsourced in order to be completed. Because the department has been able to handle the work in house, Chief Kaminsky said, there has been a reduction in down time for equipment repair, as well as cost savings to the department.
”We are very fortunate to acquire someone with Cpl. Pineno’s level of expertise and educational background,” he said. “It is a position that (we are required) to fulfill to keep up with current demands and future technological advances within the law enforcement community.”
