Hopatcong Picks New Police Captain, Won't Fill Opening

Robert Brennan started to speak. Then he stopped.

"We haven't taken a vote yet, so let me wait," Brennan said.

The action was a mere formality. A unanimous vote made Brennan Hopatcong's newest police captain, a role vacated last week by William Rehe's retirement, at Wednesday's mayor and council meeting before a larger-than-usual borough hall crowd.

Reached by phone after the meeting, Police Chief John Swanson said the department "has no plans right now" to fill either Brennan's old lieutenant post or the hole Rehe left.

Rehe's retirement dealt the department its second vacancy. Lawrence Shavers, a longtime detective, . And while officer Ryan Tracy was promoted into Shavers' spot, the move left a hole in Hopatcong's patrol and the department with 24 members—four less than it had in 2009.

Swanson, who said the department would operate with just one other lieutenant, Tina Kraus, also said Brennan "will make a fine captain."

"It has been a pleasure to work with him," the chief said. "I have every bit of confidence he'll do the job to the best of his abilities."

Brennan, a former Marine who served in Desert Storm, has been with the department since 1994. In 2005, he went to New Orleans to help in the Hurricane Katrina aftermath.

"We're very grateful for all that Bob has done," Mayor Sylvia Petillo said. "He's been a service to our town and our police department. We're very excited about his promotional move to captain."

Minutes later, Brennan got his chance to speak.

"I'd like to thank the mayor and council for the opportunity to serve the borough in this important position," he said. "I'd like to thank chief Swanson for always seeing the best in me despite myself. That's it. And I'd like to thank the guys that I work with for their faith and confidence."