Councilmen Wanted to Wait to Promote Morgan

The two council members who promoting Rachel Morgan on Tuesday said they wanted to wait until she returned to active duty before making her a detective, and thought the rest of the council agreed.

But that all changed Tuesday, when departing councilman Alan Brundage urged the council to promote Morgan immediately, which they did by a 3-2 vote.

Councilman Michael Rohdieck, one of the two no votes, said he had no problem with promoting Morgan.

"I had committed to the promotion as soon as she came up on active duty," Rohdieck said. "It's not the timeline I preferred, but I'm still very happy that she did get promoted.

Morgan has been unable to work since February, when she was shot and while attempting to make a traffic stop. Since the shooting, Morgan has undergone multiple surgeries to treat her injuries.

Officials couldn't confirm exactly how much Morgan will make as a detective because the police salary guide needs to be updated, but many Paramus detectives make more than six figures annually. Records show she made $54,205 in 2010 and $75,247 in 2011.

Rohdieck said he was reluctant to a "substantial" raise to Morgan before she returned to work.

"I feel that there's a responsibility given to me as a council member to make wise decisions with the public's money," he said.

Eric Nazziola, the other councilman to vote against Morgan's promotion, said that every council member had agreed to wait until Morgan returned to duty before making her a detective, with the exception of Brundage. Chief Christopher Brock asked for the promotion a month ago.

"I do my best to be consistent and I voted according to what we discussed," Nazziola said. 

Brundage, a captain with the Bergen County Police Department, recused himself from discussions on many police matters, but privately urged his colleagues to promote Morgan.

Despite that, Rohdieck said he was surprised Brundage asked for the motion Tuesday night.

For his part, Brundage said the promotion should have been made as soon as Brock asked for it.

"It should have been done when it was requested," he said.

Morgan expects to be back at work Jan. 16.