A civilian director may also replace role of outgoing chief
By Jen Samuel, Managing Editor
HIGHTSTOWN — While some people have questioned the chief of police’s absence at Borough Council meetings this past spring, Chief James Eufemia said consolidation of all services, including police, will continue to be discussed throughout New Jersey as a means to save money in the future.
Previously, on Monday night, Borough Council introduced a measure to pursue hiring a private public safety director in place of another chief of police.
Chief Eufemia responded to several questions in an e-mail statement to the Herald sent Wednesday upon his return from a two-week offshore family vacation.
”I have served with many different mayors and members of council over the past 30 years,” said the chief in his e-mail statement. “Overall, we have been able to accomplish many things working together.”
The chief is set to retire Sept. 1.
Today, there are currently three patrol sergeants, six uniformed patrol officers, and one detective, he said.
”We employ four full-time radio dispatchers, one administrative assistant and four school crossing guards.”
The chief discussed the limitations of a civilian at the helm of a police department.
”A civilian director may not perform police duties, such as answering calls for service, conducting patrol activities, stopping motor vehicles, and stopping or detaining individuals,” Chief Eufemia said.
”A director may not wear a uniform or badge or carry a firearm, and may not operate a police vehicle. A police director does not have powers of arrest,” he said.
In his e-mail, the chief discussed the aftermath of last year’s consolation efforts.
”The public came out in great numbers to voice their opinions regarding the consolidation effort. In the end, the council sub-committee’s recommendation certainly lifted a heavy burden from the members of this police department when they, along with council voted to retain the police department. Who knows what the future holds?”
The chief declined to answer questions pertaining to how the department collected its data for the New Jersey Department of Law & Public Safety’s “Gangs in New Jersey: Municipal Law Enforcement Response to the 2010 NJSP Gang Survey.”
On Monday, mostcouncil members agreed that learning more about hiring a public safety director to replace the chief made sense moving forward.
Robert Thibault, a Democrat and former councilman running for a seat on Borough Council November 8, asked at during public, “How much is this going to cost us?” in reference to the chief’s retirement package, reached June 6.
Also during public comment, Mr. Thibault urged the council to follow Councilwoman Isabel McGinty’s lead and seek more answers to more budgetary question including police overtime.
”Overtime is a negotiated contractual item between the borough and members of the police department,” the chief said in his e-mail to the Herald.
”I don’t know how much you can put a price tag on someone taking a bullet for you,” said Councilwoman Selena Bibens, later on during a discussion about police overtime. “They are somewhat priceless.”
However, during public comment, Mr. Thibault asked for fiscal accountability.
”We have a right to know how our money is being spent,” Mr. Thibault said Monday.
”Asking questions is good. This is a democracy. That’s what we should do,’ Mr. Thibault said.
In other news, council temporarily withdrew a measure to increase borough employee salaries by 2 percent across the board.
”I was surprised to see this on the agenda,” said Councilwoman McGinty, a Democrat. “I’m not sure where we’re getting the money to pay for the raises,” she said.
”I raised (concerns) in the past about salaries and I’ve gotten no answers…this is a lump resolution. It puts a lot of people together in one resolution.”
Councilwoman Skye Gilmartin, a Republican, agreed that the issue needed more time to look over.
”Sometimes we have to show a little appreciation for all the people who show up every day,” said Mayor Steve Kirson (D), adding that in total it amounted to a little less than $12,000.
”Employees do need some sense that we want them here…but I agree that it should be more targeted,” said Democratic Councilman Mike Vanderbeck.