Installment of civilian director troubles police force
Doing away with back-ups during traffic stops a contentious issue

Officer back-ups during traffic stops emerged as a pressing issue from public comment on a municipal ordinance giving the township administrator authority over police operations in Union.

Police department oversight was conferred to Township Administrator Frank Bradley by the township committee Tuesday night, despite public challenges to Bradley's policies, practices, management style, relations with police and knowledge of law enforcement.

The sharpest criticism came over a policy change, implemented by Bradley under the controversial Compstat crime-management program, eliminating a near-universal practice of routine police back-ups during motor vehicle stops.

"Certain policies changed when the administrator and deputy chief (Andrew Giordano) decided it would be more efficient to keep patrol officers on patrol until an officer called for help," Police Chief Thomas Kraemer said after Bradley told Township Committeeman Peter Capodice no change in back- ups had been implemented.

"I do not agree with the decision," said the police chief, who has been reluctant to criticize the administration as Bradley assumed growing control over the police department through Compstat, a big- city program introduced in the township nearly two years ago.

Kraemer said the change in authority affects officers, adding they are concerned about being disciplined in retaliation for speaking out against actions taken by Bradley under Compstat and during the four years ending Tuesday that they were without a labor contract.

"No one has explained to me why this is necessary," he said of the change, adding police officers have "worked harder, longer and did more, even without a contract."

"What you are doing now, I believe, is inappropriate," Chief Kraemer told the township committee.

Opposition to Bradley being named the "appropriate authority" over the police department extended beyond the township.

A stinging rebuke came from retired Clark Police Chief Antoine Danko, who represented the New Jersey Police Chiefs Association at the meeting. Danko said he attended only to show support to the police union, but was moved by the proceedings to comment.

"After hearing about back-ups during motor-vehicle stops -- I am also director of the John Stamler (Union County) Police Academy, so I know about police procedures -- there can't be a policy of not backing up," he said.

"I feel like I'm in a backward town in Georgia listening to these comments about the police department," he added. "It's ridiculous."

Before its unanimous vote, Danko urged the township committee to reconsider the action and offered to help mediate matters between the administration and police union.

Instead township committee members sought to assure residents that although they passed on their role as appropriate authority to Bradley, they retain control of municipal law enforcement.

"We do listen to the concerns of these residents," said Mayor Brenda Restivo. "The municipal governing body will oversee the appropriate authority. We will do our best to do what is important to the police department, and all 55,000 residents of Union."

Township Committeemen Peter Capodice and Joseph Florio added they will investigate the elimination of routine police back-ups, and take appropriate action.

Florio noted the chain of command in law enforcement starts with the state attorney general and extends down to the county prosecutor and township committee, or an appointed appropriate authority.

"The appropriate authority is still accountable to us," he said. "It's just a question of he's the individual to carry out what we want done. He will not give direct orders to police officers. He will not review internal affairs cases. We are not abdicating our responsibility."

Speakers at the meeting said the policy change on police back- ups was not the only action Bradley has taken without informing the township committee.

William Fuentes, state delegate of Local 69 of the Policemen's Benevolent Association, accused Bradley of "hiding legal proceedings" from the governing body stemming from an improper surveillance of off-duty officers following a township committee meeting in August 2005.

Keith Dunn, executive vice president of the state PBA, said "what has happened in Union goes beyond disagreement," and asked why the township committee would appoint an appropriate authority "with such an adverse relationship with police officers."

Joanne Gunther, a resident, noted Bradley contracted with a friend and former colleague in the state Division of Criminal Justice for a study on why he should be made the appropriate authority. She termed that a conflict of interest.

Allen Katcher, a retired police officer, added the township experimented with a civilian public safety director in the 1980s for about six months before the Union County Prosecutor's Office terminated the position because of interference in day-to-day operations of the police force.

Jason Jett may be contacted at jjett@starledger.com or (908) 302-1509.