Long Branch Eliminates Position Of Police Chief

LONG BRANCH, NJ — Huge changes are afoot in the Long Branch Police Department: First, the city announced last week it is physically moving the police department headquarters (plus municipal court) onto the campus of Monmouth Medical Center.

Then, at their Wednesday night meeting, the Long Branch City Council introduced an ordinance that will eliminate the position of Police Chief. This will go into effect once current Chief of Police Jason Roebuck retires June 1, 2021.

Instead of police chief, Long Branch has a public safety director, who will oversee not only the police department, but also fire department and Office of Emergency Management. Patch reported that Long Branch hired Domingos Saldida as public safety director last December; he is paid a salary of $169,000 yearly.

Long Branch Mayor John Pallone said not having to pay a police chief as well will be a huge cost savings. This decision comes as a response to the Long Branch police department audit that was completed in 2020, which suggested reorganizing the department, he said.

"We see this as a huge savings as the salary of the police chief is one of the highest in the city," said Mayor John Pallone. "Having a Public Safety Director in our city lets the governing body have more input and oversight in the operation of the police department."

Roebuck used to be Long Branch's public safety director from 2013 to 2017.

Before Pallone was elected, Mayor Adam Schneider first retired the public safety director position, saying it was no longer necessary. Roebuck was then made police chief. He disputed many assertions made in that audit, including that he was not responsive or cooperative to Mayor Pallone, the Asbury Park Press reported.

"We had a Public Safety Director position run the Police Department for 40 years in our city and I am happy that it will now continue that way again," Council Vice President Dr. Mary Jane Celli said.

Related: Long Branch Moving Police HQ, Court Onto Monmouth Medical Campus (April 14)

Long Branch To Get $12.5 Million In 2nd COVID Relief Act (March 12)

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