Tag: Ridgewoood Police Recruit Scandal

file photo Boyd Loving

Ridgewood debates size of police force
Thursday February 6, 2014, 9:35 AM
BY  CHRIS HARRIS
STAFF WRITER
The Record

RIDGEWOOD — The Village Council this week continued discussion of a possible code amendment that would increase the number of patrolmen permitted on the police force.

No action was taken following Wednesday night’s meeting, which came on the heels of Tuesday’s confirmation from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office that it will be investigating the police chief’s recent attempts to hire two men, surpassing the mandated limit.

“We are reviewing [the chief’s decision] not as a criminal matter but solely as a complaint against a chief which, under Attorney General Guidelines, can only be investigated by the Prosecutor’s Office,” Prosecutor John Molinelli said in a statement.

Police Chief John Ward asked for an inquest by the prosecutor’s office last Thursday — the morning after he appeared before the Village Council to support a retroactive amendment to the code, augmenting the number of officers to 32.

Currently, the department can only have 30 patrol officers.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/ridgewood/Ridgewood_debates_size_of_police_force.html#sthash.jf45YlLL.dpuf

Reader says No matter who gets hired, someone else will be upset because they didn’t get the job

Its not a perfect world but operating within the civil service rules is most ‘transparent’ way to deal with hiring and promotions.
Read the Bergen Record sometime. Constant lawsuits in Paramus over promotions.
Police departments have many recurring ‘themes’ that happen in every one.
Officers dislike each other because of ‘perceived slights’.
Who get a better schedule?
Who got the better squad car?
Who got promoted ‘over’ someone who ‘thought’ they deserved it?
Who got more ‘details/side jobs’ (PSEG work etc)
Who got ‘credit’ for an arrest?
Who got a better office?
Who’s ‘brownosing’ the brass and getting preferable treatment. ETC ETC.
Then it gets personal. Who is fooling around with someone’s ex-wife, ex-girlfriend etc.
Its a fact of life in law enforcement.
Its not a perfect system, but civil service has more guidelines that must be followed than a department that has not decided to operate under these rules.
No matter who gets hired, someone else will be upset because they didn’t get the job.
Such is life in the real world.
Suck it up and move on.

Reader : Our Village Council  has a history of reacting, rather than acting, to issues

Our Village Council  has a history of reacting, rather than acting, to issues. Those offers never should have gone out without the proper approvals, and if HR and/or the VC missed it (just like they missed the PSE&G letter about the hundred foot poles) then it’s their fault.

Failure of management. They could have resolved the issue at the meeting and gotten it off the table but they drag it out, just like they drag everything out. If I read one more article about Valley Hospital I’ll scream. Make a decision already. You’re losing 7 officers, the chief wants to replace with 4, and if you don’t do the hires you’ll make up the coverage in overtime costs. Put a pencil to paper and figure it out.

The ‘nepotism’ clause requires VC approval so if the recruits are well qualified and the hires are needed then what is the problem? I feel very bad for the young guys affected due to this mismanagement and a quick resolution should be sought.

Reader says all Village departments are understaffed

Yes they do. All Dept are understaffed. The new council had almost two years to do the right thing. We all suffer for the political line that we are keeping taxes down.The reason our taxes are high is because the BOE.

Although I some times break balls with he the DPW poster he is right in saying the they are under staffed. What I disagree with the posting is that he attacked other dept. I feel his frustration but that’s what this new council want ( in fighting) to distract the residents.

In the 70s and 80s ever dept was staffed higher then it is now.That will never happen again but it does mean that were have to drop to the levels that we have now. You know the saying. A house divided cannot stand. That’s their plan.

Reader says No Wonder People don’t Speak up Their afraid of payback

That makes it right? Your answer is don’t run for office because there will political retribution not only on you which I,m sure he new would happen but it ok to extend this to your family. These are the moral people you want in office .

Sounds like a dictatorship. Let me do what I want or I will punish you and your family.

No wonder people don’t speak up. Their afraid of payback. What a country. Hear that everyone if you don’t like what the your government doing don’t try to change it because they will get you. Just keep your mouth shut and just let do what ever they want.