DCA report critical of Edison Police Dept.
Advocates reduction in force, increase civilian positions to save money
BY TOM CAIAZZA
Staff Writer

The state Department of Community Affairs (DCA) released a comprehensive assessment of the Edison Township Police Department on Thursday that was critical of, among other things, the number of officers filling posts that could be filled by civilians.

The long-anticipated report recommended the "civilianizing" of various places in the department that do not require a sworn officer to conduct the position. The report calls for adding 16 civilian positions while eliminating 24 sworn officer positions. In many cases, those civilian positions would be in the communications, records and patrol divisions, where three top patrol positions could be replaced with one civilian administrative assistant.

The report estimated that the savings per year, with all other recommendations followed, could reach as high as $5.8 million.

Jerry Barca, the communications director for the administration, said the report, which had been conducted at Mayor Jun Choi's urging, was currently being assessed by administration officials, and he could not comment on what, if any, action would be taken based on the report's recommendations.

"We're thankful to the state for providing this independent report," Barca said. "We will review the report, and after the completion of a thorough review we'll see what appropriate actions there are to take."

The report focused heavily on the "civilianizing" of many of the department's functions, which would reduce the total number of officers from 212 to 188. The report claims that by adding more civilian employees, the department would have more officers conducting police functions despite the drop in number.

The report also called for a reduction in officers with higher ranks, reducing the number of captains and lieutenants by three and nine, but increasing the number of sergeants by seven.

The overall reduction in force has local PBA 75 President Michael Schwarz insecure about the safety of his men and the public.

"You don't cut public safety," Schwarz said. "If you're talking about cutting manpower, we're short on manpower now."

Schwarz worries that the cost savings may outweigh the concerns he has over the continuing safety of officers and the public.

"When you let money influence public safety and jeopardize it, I think you're making a mistake," Schwarz said.

The report also discussed the prevalence of a disconnect between the department and the administration and the department and the public.

It cites several highly publicized incidents as reason for strained relations between the department and other groups.

The report says, "There must be an effort by the police administration, command staff and the first line supervisors to change and develop a new culture."

The report also says the past culture has "defined it as a department in crisis," saying the department is at a crossroads, requiring long-term commitment to improve the entire department.

Schwarz said that he does not feel there is a disconnect between the public and the police, and said that, minus a few incidents, there has always been a strong relationship between the two.

"I think we have a great relationship with the community," Schwarz said, calling two incidents involving the Asian Indian population as "minor things magnified for political reasons."

The DCA report also urged the department to align itself more with the fiscal realities and priorities of the township, saying "the policy positions advocated by the township officials are different from the expectations of the Edison Police Department."

The report called for a "common vision" between the department and the township, and urged the department to be more realistic in its fiscal expectations.

"The members of the department must recognize the seriousness of the financial situation and not expect consistent increases in funding," the report said.

One place where the DCA found the department exceeding expectation was the Juvenile Aid Bureau, saying it was impressed with the civilian counselor program, and the township should assign one additional sergeant and school resource officer to the bureau.

Police Chief George Mieczkowski could not be reached for comment on this story.