Hasbrouck Heights Preparing for Police Promotions

Promotions within the Hasbrouck Heights Police Department - the first in nine years - are around the corner.

The majority of council members gave the okay Tuesday night to the creation of a set number of high ranking positions in the department to lay the foundation towards future promotions.

"No" votes came once again from Councilwoman Sonya Buckman and Councilman Christian Semenecz who had stated previously the ordinance created too many high ranking positions in the department.

"I feel this is definitely putting the cart before the horse," stated Semenecz who also referred to the intervew process which has already begun with the police committee.

"Promotions can be given at any time. They can not be made without the ordinance," responded Mayor Rose Heck.

There have not been any promotions given in the police department since 2004.

Within the past year two lieutentants and two captains retired. Currently there are two lieutenants and six sergeants in the department. Captain Jack DeLorenzo retired last fall and Captain Joseph Cronin this past April. Currently no one holds the title of Captain in the department.

The ordinance passed Tuesday night defines the high ranking positions in the department as one Chief, two Captains, four Lieutenants and eight Sergeants.

The police committee has been conducting interviews over the past month according to Mayor Heck.

It is expected that recommendations will be made for two lieutenant and four sergeant positions, she said. Recommendations are expected to be approved in June.

Back in April, the borough established a procedure for how promotions will be granted in the department as a way of creating what officials called a fair process. At first the PBA members challenged the written rules. Later after a meeting between PBA members' legal counsel and the governing body the rules were adopted.