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PLUMSTED: Chief’s status uncertain

Residents, officers urge officials to retain Petrecca

by James McEvoy, Managing Editor
PLUMSTED — With rumors spreading that Police Chief Matthew Petrecca’s departure from the department may be imminent, township police officers and residents urged township officials to do whatever necessary to retain him.
   The issue was discussed at length at the Township Committee meeting Wednesday.
   Chief Petrecca, who declined to address his specific future plans with the department, does not have a contract with the township.
   Business Administrator Ron Dancer told the Messenger Press there is no requirement for the township to have a contract with the police chief since Plumsted is a non-civil service municipality.
   While there is no contract, Mr. Dancer said the chief’s salary is set at $2,000 above the salary of the second highest ranking officer as negotiated in the Patrolman’s Benevolent Association contract, per township policies.
   ”However, he does have an offer that would provide him with a greater salary. We’re just going to have to wait and see what his decision is,” he said. “We want him to stay.”
   According to Mr. Dancer, Chief Petrecca’s current salary is $75,560. Though future salaries for the chief of police could be impacted by any new PBA agreement. The current PBA contract expires on Dec. 31.
   During the June 5 meeting, township officials echoed Mr. Dancer’s support for Chief Petrecca.
   ”We hope that the chief is here for a long, long time and retires here when he’s old and gray,” Mayor Dave Leutwyler said, noting the township has not received any letter of resignation from the chief.
   In response to a resident, Mayor Leutwyler noted the chief’s salary was included in the recently approved budget.
   Committeeman Mike Wysong also stated his support for the chief.
   ”This committee totally supports the chief and wants the chief to stay,” Mr. Wysong said. “We’ve met with him, we’ve met with state officials for guidance and we’re doing everything within our power to do right by Chief Petrecca.
   ”You’re here to support the chief,” he added, addressing the audience. “Thank you because you’re in our corner because we support him too.”
   Officials also shot down rumors Plumsted was looking at outside agencies to handle police services in the township.
   While Chief Petrecca declined to comment on his future with the department, following the meeting he said his sole priority was ensuring the continued safety of the community and his officers.
   ”The most important thing to me is always the service to the residents, the public safety and our officers,” he said. “I’ll stay focused on that.
   ”We’ll see what happens,” he added. “The township, they’re trying to work with me. I do not have a contract. Nor are they obligated to give me one.”
   Chief Petrecca is a 16-year veteran of the force.
   Detective Brant Uricks, president of the PBA, said morale of the officers has been affected by the prospects of losing their chief.
   ”Losing the chief … would be a detriment to this agency,” Detective Uricks said. “He’s done so much for us.
   Specifically, he said the chief was critical in getting the department accredited by the New Jersey State Association Chiefs of Police, has been a proponent of getting his officers training and established the detective bureau.
   During the public comment portion, resident Sabate Russo lauded Chief Petrecca and urged officials to retain him.
   ”We’re very fortunate to have probably one of the best chiefs that anybody could have,” Mr. Russo said. “What a tremendous loss that would be if we should lose him and have to revert to, which I pray to God it never happens, a safety director.
   ”We finally got the politics out of police and the police work and we should keep it that way,” he added.
   Chief Petrecca was appointed to the post last August after a new township ordinance established the position. The department consists of 12 officers.
   For the previous three years, he ran the department as a sergeant. At the time of his appointment as chief, his salary increased from $70,963 to $72,963.
   Michael Lynch, who had served as public safety director since 2004, retired from the position when Chief Petrecca was appointed.