Cranbury opts to hire new police chief

[news]

Cranbury opts to hire new police chief
Chief John Hansen set to retire

By Maria Prato-Gaines, Staff Writer
Posted: Friday, March 14, 2008 10:30 AM EDT

CRANBURY — The Township Committee decided Monday to hire a new chief of police to replace Chief John Hansen, who will officially retire on May 31.

The committee voted 4 to 1 to keep the position intact, rather than eliminate it and appoint a civilian public safety director to head the Police Department.

A public safety director is not a law enforcement official, but rather a supervisor who would oversee the Police and Fire departments and report back to the committee. A police chief is a law enforcement official who manages and directs the department’s internal day-to-day operations, Township Administrator Christine Smeltzer said.

Even though Ms. Smeltzer endorsed hiring a new chief, she also presented the committee with the option of hiring a public safety director.

She said that public safety directors were more prevalent in towns with a young and inexperienced force that had yet to reach the upper ranks of a department, making it difficult to promote from within, or when a department is experiencing problems and needs supervision.

”I don’t think that’s the case with the current Police Department,” Ms. Smeltzer said.
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http://www.packetonline.com/articles/2008/03/14/cranbury_press/news/doc47da8819750ca803321018.prt

[Guest]

So let me understand this - In this economic downturn - Cranbury is going to hire a new police chief and a safety officer? Are we going to get 2 for the price of one? OR is this a NEW paid position?

[Guest]

[Jeff M.]

They are replacing a police chief with a police chief. The public safety officer was a floated idea. That makes me nervous that some felt this would be a good idea.

Simply said, public safety officers are not police officers and they would not know the town needs, what is needed in the police squad, how things are balanced, etc.. The Cranbury police force from Chief Logan to Chief Hansen has been local officers who knew the squad, the town and the people, IMO we need to continue that trend. A public saftey officer would have been a large negative. Also, I am not sure how we equate Cranbury with towns like Edison. There are much different dynamics involved in the two towns.

[Guest]

Today around 8:45 AM I went to the Wawa on Applegarth Rd. When I pulled in there were 2 Cranbury Police Cars parked by the bagel shop. By the time I had gotten my coffee and leaving there were 4 Cranbury Police cars. Waited about 10 minutes. All were still there, I had to get back to work. Question if Cranbury is so crime ridden that we need all these police should maybe they take turns rather then leave the town unprotected? Everyone deserves a brake but all 4 at the same time? Have noticed at other times at least 2 officers out of the township at the same time. How many people who have just as much time job as our retiring chief are looking at pensions like his? Never have to worry what the stock market does check always goes up and will always be there. When will this end?

[publius]

But...........police are SUPPOSED to hang out at donut/bagel shops!!!!!! What if someone tries to hold up the shop? BOOM! The cops are right there, ready to nail 'em.
The town where I grew up (45 minutes North of here) has about 50 police for a population of about 19,000. Some of whom I went to school with and would NEVER trust with a real gun. Ya gotta watch out for nepotism. Everyone in that town is related to one another. They're all cousins and are highly inbred, politically speaking. It's tough to keep government from becoming incestuous, politically speaking.

[Guest]

[Guest]

I would have to agree with the previous posts. I think they deserve a break . But how can they all just leave the town. They must not think that crime is a problem. I also have seen the Cranbury police out of the town many times. If Cranbury needs this many police why are we not being told about all the crime that is going on. At least four officers on duty at one time I must really consider moving somewhere that is safer.

[Guest]

I just wish there were a decent place to eat here. When I am home and get hungry or thirsty I don't eat here either. Frankly there are no real decent places to eat or that have a good cup of coffee.

[Guest]

[Guest]

[easy]

The poster might be just trying to help.

BTW, I heard that a nice coffee shop will be on Main St. soon.

Get back to the topic, I think Cranbury is a very safe place to be. I just don't understand why people try to use the "fear" tactic to justify hiring more policemen. It seems people are finding out that using the fear tactic in this country will get things done without going though a more diligent process in policy decisions.

[Guest]

Don't you get to eat a meal while at work or should the police work 10 or 12 hour shifts without eating or drinking. Oh I'm sorry, you probably don't work and stay at home all day writing these messages. Perhaps we can restrict our officers' use of the bathroom facilities too or should they just ask you first before they go?