Parsippany Police Chief Reflects On Facing 'Serious' Times

PARSIPPANY, NJ - Whether it is enforcing the restrictions imposed by executive orders or warning off defiant salon owners against reopening or escorting thousands in peaceful protest, Parsippany Police Chief Andrew Miller and his department has been there.

Among their other myriad duties.

"In my 28 years as a Parsippany Police Officer, never have we experienced such serious times requiring immediate, numerous and sensitive leadership decisions," he said. "Always in the interest of protecting our community, proper decisions sometimes become incredibly difficult, to the point of almost impossible, when competing interests are present, as they’ve recently been."

The Parsippany March for Black Lives rally planned at Parsippany High School Tuesday came together quickly and Miller noted that with little more than 24 hours to establish a safe plan, with limited information, they were able to correctly anticipate it could exponentially expand to the large amount of participants.

"It did, the decisions made were ultimately and fortunately correct," Miller said. "Despite some reasonable and expected confusion with competing decisions, it’s critically important for the community of Parsippany to be aware of how ultimately the proper and legal decisions were made, which resulted in a 100 percent successful, safe and educational event."

Miller noted it started with continuous high-level law enforcement intelligence research, communication and guidance and tens of hours of non-stop phone and conference calls from early morning until almost midnight.

"I speak confidentially to say we all, the leaders in the community where your tax dollars go, Miller said, highlighting the Police Department, Parsippany-Troy Hills Administration and The Parsippany Troy-Hills Board of Education. "We worked exceptionally hard and well together to arrive where we did, in mutual agreement that the ultimate decision made was proper and safe for you."

Miller also thanked the organizers of the event who remained committed to helping us keep it safe, peaceful and clean.

"Thank you for your consideration and understanding while we all continue to serve you in the most effective and efficient way possible," he said.

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