HIGHTSTOWN: Sergeants looking to retire in 2013

Police Director discusses promotion process to fill ranks

By Christina Whittington, Special Writer
   HIGHTSTOWN — The Borough will be promoting possibly two of its police officers in the upcoming months to the rank of sergeant.
   At the Nov. 19 Borough Council meeting, Police Director James LeTellier announced that the department’s two sergeants have expressed interest in retiring next year.
   Sgt. Glen Runge has filed paperwork to retire in March. Sgt. Mark Niro is exploring the option of retirement in May.
   ”Statutorily, do we have to have two sergeants?” asked Michael Theokas, borough administrator.
   Mr. LeTellier said, “I have (already) downsized the administrative supervision portion, which I believe with the proper staffing level — with a sergeant on each platoon — (can) handle it adequately. If you go below that, you will have people out there unsupervised. I don’t think that is a good idea.”
   According to Mr. LeTellier, Hightstown is a non-civil service community which operates under a different promotional system.
   Mr. LeTellier’s recommendation to council to utilize a two-step promotion process which would include a written test and an oral interview conducted by the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police.
   ”I want to do something that is fair and will reassure the borough and myself that the people that are taking the tests will be adequately suitable for the position,” Mr. LeTellier stated.
   According to Mr. LeTellier, a written test makes sure the officer has the minimum knowledge required for the position. The oral examination, for candidates who pass the written exam, would be administered by a panel of police chiefs covering a list of predetermined questions that encompass a broad range of law including Attorney General guidelines, case law, state statutes and policy and procedures.
   ”You get to tell more about the person’s ability to spontaneously respond to questions,” Mr. LeTellier said of the oral exams.
   Candidates interested in the applying for the promotion of sergeant would also need to submit a letter and a resume highlighting supervisory qualifications, Mr. LeTellier said. The candidate’s application would also be forwarded to the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police.
   Mr. LeTellier said he was researching several options regarding seniority, including seniority as a tiebreaker or seniority points.
   The time-frame for the testing consists of an eight-week period, allowing two months for the officers to study in preparation.
   Mr. LeTellier said hoped to have this process completed by mid-February.
   The testing cost, according to Mr. LeTellier, is around $4,000 which council agreed to expend as a 2013 expense.
   ”It’s important that the process is fair and impartial,” Mr. LeTellier told the Herald on Nov. 27.
   As previously reported by the Herald, at the Oct. 15 council meeting, Mayor Steven Kirson swore in three new officers tot he Hightstown Police Department, Kenneth Larsen, Ronald Stephensen and Phillip Esposito. The positions came with an annual salary of $45,000 per officer. One of the officers will be replacing David Chenoweth, a patrolman, who is retiring in December. Officer Chenoweth earns an annual salary of $98,000.
   The Police Department last week increased its downtown patrols during peak hours in conjunction with the holiday season. Police said the initiative is an effort to prevent and deter crime.
   Police have asked locals to be vigilant for shoplifters and suspicious persons loitering by parked cars in the downtown parking lots.
   Additionally, the Police Department is continuing a “Zero Tolerance Policy” against drunk driving. During the holidays, police said drunk driving patrols are planned.
   The next Borough Council meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3.