The position of lieutenant has been reinstated within Lambertville’s Police Department, and veteran officer Sgt. Robert Brown was appointed in an acting capacity.
Mayor David DelVecchio pointed to Sgt. Brown’s integrity, cooperation and dedication.
"Acting Lt. Brown is an exemplary officer and a true asset to our department and our city," the mayor said. "Even for a department the size of ours, having proper channels in place to ensure the efficient and effective management of the force and to maintain morale are incredibly important. I am confident Acting Lt. Brown will be able to take on this important responsibility with the same professionalism and positive attitude he has brought to our police force for nearly 20 years."
Police Director Bruce Cocuzza said, "Acting Lt. Brown is widely recognized throughout our community for his exemplary service and commitment to public safety. I have come to trust him, whether it be in making sure the daily work at the department is done properly or working directly with the community to ensure the success of many public events. In this new capacity, we’ll be able to draw upon his sound judgment in a greater way."
Under the supervision and direction of the police director, Acting Lt. Brown will serve as the department’s officer in charge. In this capacity, he will assist the director in running the day-to-day operations and oversee all patrol activities as the platoon commander, among other duties.
In addition, he will oversee the department’s training function and participate in the development and implementation of department-wide goals, objectives, policies, procedures, performance standards and operational priorities.
Acting Lt. Brown will continue his regular patrol duties. For 2014, the position will carry a salary of $92,750, up from his current $88,071.
Acting Lt. Brown, an 18-year veteran of the force, has consistently led the department in virtually all productivity categories, such as DWI and other arrests, summons productivity (averaging 754 moving violations each of the past three years) and has maintained a perfect attendance record for the past 12 years.
He is the department training officer, domestic violence liaison officer and performs other administrative duties, often on his own time.
He has been the recipient of numerous department commendations for police work and has garnered awards from community groups, including Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the Amwell Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons’ Police Officer of the Year Award.
He is a two-time state Department of Highway Traffic Safety "Top Gun" award winner for recording the most DWI arrests in Hunterdon County in 2012 and 2013.
Qualifications for the acting lieutenant position require at least 10 years’ service as a full-time officer, three of which were performed in the rank of sergeant. Other qualifications include excellent performance, disciplinary and attendance records as well as outstanding interpersonal and communication skills.
Following the one-year probationary term, Acting Lt. Brown may retain the position upon obtaining a passing score on a promotional examination unless the requirement is waived by the governing body in consultation with the police director.
