New Police Hires in the Works, Rank Measure Still on Hold

Washington Township Mayor Janet Sobkowicz explained Monday night that police officers will be added to the township force "to fill in the gaps" left by retirements and absences.

She told the council and the public that she and members of the police department are in the final stages of selecting candidates to become police officers. She said the first rounds of interviews were conducted April 13 to 28 with 20 candidates out of the 100 applications that were reviewed. She said the field was narrowed to nine candidates April 30 and then a second round of interviews focusing more on practical situations was conducted. She said the township is now in the process of doing background checks.

Sobkowicz said the department needs the new hires because currently there are 11 to 14 officers able to cover shifts. There are 19 officers on staff, but one is out for pregnancy, two are out related to a and three had accidents, she explained. Previously, the department was made up of 22 members.

Because officers get paid $80 to $100 per hour in overtime, the township has spent $155,000 to date this year in overtime pay. Sobkowicz said it is estimated the township will spend $160,000 in overtime from now until Sept. 15.

"Normally it doesn't pay to hire new officers to reduce overtime," Sobkowicz said. "Not so in this situation."

She said the new officers would get paid $26.73 per hour and about $40 per hour for overtime. She also said the candidates being considered have already graduated from the police academy so the township wouldn't have to incur that expense.

"The hiring of officers in no way effects the streamlining of the table of organization," Sobkowicz added.

Township councilmen agreed Monday night to table the ordinance making changes to the police rank structure yet again to allow for more discussions with department members and the PBA. 

Councilman Joseph D'Urso made the suggestion to hold off on a decision until the end of the summer. "I don't think we're ready to move forward with it," he said, adding that members of the council may opt to make changes to the ordinance based on recommendations.

At the special council meeting May 2, Police Chief Randy Ciocco, Capt. Glen Hooper and Lt. Richard Skinner in the table of organization and change the distinction of patrolman to police officer.

The next township council meeting is scheduled for May 23.