Mahwah Council Proposes Creating Position Of Police Director

MAHWAH, NJ — The Town Council introduced an ordinance that would reorganize the Police Department’s command structure by creating the new position of police director — a position that would be above that of Chief James Batelli.

The council introduced Ordinance No. 1811 at a meeting Thursday. The ordinance states that Batelli would report to the director and be responsible for the "day-to-day operations of the department," which Council President Robert Hermansen confirmed.

Batelli disagrees with, and was surprised by, the proposed move. He said creating a director position would strip him of all responsibilities except for those required by state law.

“I believe that a police director is unnecessary and both bad for the township and for the police department,” Batelli said in a statement.

Batelli, who has been chief for more than 15 years, was surprised by the proposed change and by the ordinance’s wording. The proposed ordinance does not provide a salary or a description of duties and responsibilities the police director would have.

“What the ordinance does say is that the chief of police is subordinate to the police director, which means the Police Department would be managed by a political appointee,” Batelli said. “Is that what the taxpayers of the township want or is that what the politicians want?”

Batelli said in a statement that the police union, Mahwah PBA Local 143, is opposed to creating the director position. PBA President Officer Rosario Zito did not respond to two emails seeking comment.

Batelli, a township resident, joined the police force in 1978. He was promoted to sergeant in 1986, lieutenant in 1989 and captain in 1992. He was sworn in as chief in 2002.

Batelli has overseen many successful programs and initiatives during his years leading the department.

The agency is accredited through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Inc. Only a small percentage of police departments receive accreditation through the agency, an accomplishment Batelli said he is “proud of.”

The agency has seized more than $3 million in cash from criminal enterprises, $1.7 million of which was used to renovate police headquarters.

The department works closely with the Mahwah Municipal Alliance to host several innovative and progressive programs on internet safety, bullying, combatting teenage drug use and depression and other topics.

Mahwah has been named one of the safest towns in the United States and the safest in New Jersey while Batelli has been in command.

Batelli also heaped praise on the men and women under his command.

“They do the work,” Batelli said. “I am proud of the men and women of the Mahwah Police Department and I am honored to be their chief. I have lead the department in a positive and professional manner to provide a high level of law enforcement services to our community that they have come to expect.”

The council is scheduled to hold a public hearing on the ordinance at its next meeting on Aug. 10.

“It doesn’t necessary mean we are going to pass anything,” Hermansen said. “It allows us the opportunity to discuss it.”

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