After the resignations last month of up to 9 police officers, the Council has acted to create a new department of public safety. It will have a civilian public safety director, eliminating the positions of Chief of Police and Fire Chief. The deputy Chief of Police and Deputy Fire Chief would be responsible for day to day operations.
The person tapped to head up this new department is our current police Chief, Robert Wilson. He will resign and be hired in 6 months "due to pension regulations that would not permit him to retire and then immediately take a supervisory role over police officers." Wilson's salary will decrease from $165k to $110k -- but don't worry - he'll be simultaneously collecting his $109k a year pension so he won't be hurt too bad.
According tot he Record, "Acting Fire Chief Anthony Verley would likely return to the rank of deputy chief and would continue to run the day-to-day fire operations. Verley, who earns $145,000, could not be reached for comment."
If you were worried that we may be cutting back on response times or safety, the manager said:
"The township will keep the same number of police officers and firefighters on the street to provide our residents with the same high level of service and responsiveness they have come to expect from Teaneck's finest and bravest" .If on the other hand you were worried about the fate of Acting Fire Chief Anthony Verley - well, chances are - you're Lizette Parker or Barbara Toffler.
Councilwoman Lizette Parker expressed some reservations about the proposal, and both Parker and Councilwoman Barbara Toffler said they were concerned about Verley's future.
