Former Parsippany PD Chief Endorses Michael Soriano For Mayor

PARSIPPANY, NJ — Former Police Chief Andrew Miller endorsed Parsippany Mayor Michael Soriano for his re-election campaign. Miller praised Soriano for expanding Police Athletic League programming and building trusted relationships in religious communities.

Soriano appointed Miller to police chief in 2018. Miller retired from policing June 30, completing a 30-year career in law enforcement. Read more: 'Steadfast Leadership': Parsippany Police Chief Retires

"It was impressive to see Mayor Soriano dedicate himself to pursuing such big-picture initiatives, while always being available and receptive to new ideas," Miller said via Soriano's campaign. "As I’ve often referred to Parsippany as the ‘city in the suburbs,’ there is a lot more work to be accomplished and Mayor Soriano’s big-picture leadership is what Parsippany needs."

Soriano expressed gratitude for Miller's support.

"He is an honest, hardworking man with the utmost integrity," Soriano said. "I have admired his passion and the dedication he brought to his work, the Police Department, and the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills."

Soriano, a Democrat, became mayor of Parsippany in 2018 after defeating two-term mayor James Barberio. He faces the Republican again in Nov. 2's General Election.

Miller also praised Soriano for increasing police presence in Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Schools. But the board of education lobbed criticism last month at Soriano's administration, alleging the township would end a partnership after June that keeps school resource officers in Parsippany.

Soriano's administration and Township Council have said that's untrue. Despite the township's budget issues, the district will have officers next year, and the dispute stems from where the funding will come from, according to both governing bodies. Read more: Town Council: Parsippany Will Have School Officers Next Year

School resource officers are part of a shared program between the township and school district. Patch sent an Open Public Records Act request to the district for documentation showing the township wouldn't renew the partnership. The district denied the request June 21 on the grounds that no final decisions were made on the shared-services agreement.

Soriano and the township sent a proposal Monday for funding the program, which the school district will review. Read more: Parsippany Proposes To Keep School Cops, Nix Security Director

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