New Deputy Chief Position Created, Captain Position Nixed In Bernards Township

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Bernards Township Police Department is being restructured at the recommendation of new Police Chief Jon Burger and its Human Resources Department.

The Bernards Township Committee voted unanimously at the Jan. 24 meeting to pass an introduction of an amended ordinance surrounding the administration and organization of the police department.

The ordinance would create a new Deputy Chief position instead of a Captain. This will enable the Deputy Chief to attend certain meetings and trainings that only someone with the chief in the title can attend and carry out other responsibilities, according to Mayor Andrew McNally.

It also will create a new desk Sergeant position who will carry out a variety of responsibilities "but most notably be the first person a resident sees when they enter into police headquarters," said McNally.

This would increase the number of Sergeants in the department from six to seven and reduce the number of Patrol Officers and Detectives from 22 to 21.

"Chief Burger believes that having a uniformed officer undertaking this responsibility is important and I whole heatedly agree," said McNally.

The department will continue to have four Lieutenants and four Corporals as well.

"This will have, collectively, a minimal budget impact. So it is something I support," said McNally.

A second and final reading of the ordinance will be heard at the Feb. 14 Township Committee meeting.

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