Wayne Police Under Pressure To Get High Number Of Tickets, Arrests, Police Union Says

WAYNE, NJ — The pressure police officers are experiencing from Chief James Clarke and Mayor Chris Vergano to produce a high number of tickets and drug-related arrests is negatively impacting neighborhoods and township youth, the police union president said.

More officers have been placed on street patrol and the police department's Detective Bureau rearranged in an attempt to address the ongoing opiate and heroin epidemic that is sweeping across North Jersey. Wayne is a hotbed for the use and transportation of such drugs because of nearby Paterson and the series of major highways and thoroughfares that run through the town.

Ticket quota systems are prohibited by state law. However, departments may collect and analyze concerning the number of arrests to ensure that officers do not "violate any applicable legal obligation," Chief James Clarke said, citing state law.

Wayne PBA Local 136 President Al Sanagorski said the philosophy Clarke and Vergano have adopted does not mesh with the idea that community policing is supposed to promote a sense of safety and community service and bring people together.

"This is not a philosophy Chief Clarke or Mayor Vergano have adopted," said Sanagorski. "In fact, our concern is that their policies are decisive and dangerous, and in fact have have put their own interests before that of the residents of Wayne Township."

Clarke defended the moves.

"In light of the scourge of drugs in our society, our police department and its officers have dedicated themselves to apprehend individuals in the possession of narcotics and drug paraphernalia and individuals who unlawfully operate motor vehicles under the influence of alcohol or drugs," Clarke said. "If individuals are found to be in possession of drugs or operating a motor vehicle under the influence, they will be charged in order to protect our residents and children."

Sanagorski's criticism of officials' approach to "disheartened, dismayed and concerned" by recent comments Vergano made that he is pleased with the job Clarke is doing and that he is "very happy with the way things are going."

Vergano's comments came after it was published that two-thirds of Local 136 members issued a vote of no-confidence in Clarke.

"It's not only a slap in the face to the officers who voted no confidence in their chief, it also sends a clear message to the majority," Sanagorski said. "It says that regardless of what may be in the best interests of the officers and the community, I as the mayor will continue to defend poor choices."

RELATED: Mayor Is Pleased With Wayne Police Chief's Work

Vergano appointed Clarke took over as full-time chief Jan. 1, 2015. Since then, the Wayne Police Benevolent Association Local 136 has filed "numerous" grievances and several members have filed Civil Rights complaints and complaints in Superior Court.

Sanagorski said the union has reached out to the administration several times to try and resolve issues between them and to discuss "the direction the township is headed," but has not heard anything back "except empty statements by the mayor" in the media.

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