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Bergen County Police chief takes last walk through door as force faces merger plans

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photo by Janet Occhiuzzo Higgins

Bergen County Police chief takes last walk through door as force faces merger plans

DECEMBER 12, 2014, 6:23 PM    LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2014, 6:50 PM
BY STEFANIE DAZIO
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

The Bergen County Police Department chief known for his vocal criticism of a police-services merger was speechless Friday during a ceremony to mark his retirement.

Brian Higgins left his department’s Paramus headquarters at 3 p.m. for the last time with a traditional “walkout” ceremony on his 50th birthday, holding hands with his wife, Nanette, and 6-year-old son, Viktor, as the Police Pipes and Drums of Bergen County played outside. His last official day will be Dec. 31, but he’s taking personal time off in the interim.

“I don’t know what to say, other than thank you,” he told the more than 100 people assembled.

Higgins, a leading opponent of the plan to merge the County Police into the county Sheriff’s Department, announced his retirement last week after nearly 25 years with the county force. He had started his career in Carlstadt and transferred to the county force two years later in the hopes of becoming a mounted officer. He served in that unit and led several other divisions, including the SWAT team and the police academy.

“I’m tearing up,” said Capt. James Mullin, who Higgins advised as his field training officer after he graduated from the academy. “It’s a happy day for him, but it’s a sad day for us.”

https://www.northjersey.com/news/bergen-county-police-chief-takes-last-walk-through-door-as-force-faces-merger-plans-1.1152831