By Gene Robbins, Managing Editor
A new police chief will likely be announced Tuesday by the governing body.
Three lieutenants on the township police force were interviewed for the job as police chief at a special meeting of the Township Committee on Tuesday, Dec. 1.
The three are Fran Mozgai, Mark Besser and Darren Powell. Lt. Kenneth Pryor didn’t have sufficient service time of at least one year at the rank to apply.
“They are three great guys, and all well qualified,” said Township Committeewoman Gloria McCauley.
Paul Kaminsky, who has been police chief since 2006, joined the force in August 1989, has submitted his resignation, effective Feb. 1. Capt. Paul Merkler, who joined the force in 1990 and is the second-ranking officer, will retire effective Dec. 31.
With a new chief as part of the process, the Township Committee will then work to appoint a captain, probably in the late January time frame, said Ms. McCauley.
The 52-person force also has seven sergeants and six corporals. Two entry-level officers were hired and sworn in Nov. 10.
The Township Committee members revised promotion guidelines this summer.
The amendments to a section of the township code added provisions that gave the governing body more potential power in the ranking of candidates for sergeant, lieutenant, captain and chief.
For instance, the Township Committee gained the right to grant more points based on oral interviews.
Mayor Douglas Tomson said then the intention was to ensure the Township Committee was “an active participant in the promotion process.”
The committee doesn’t have the ability to hire individuals on the open market, “so it’s important we know and understand who is moving up in the ranks,” he said.
