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Camden Nixes Hiring Of Civilian Police Director

21 Comments

CAMDEN, NJ – If timing is everything, Camden Mayor Dana L. Redd needs to check her watch.

Redd became the target of justifiable criticism this week with her poorly-timed decision to appoint a civilian director to help run the understaffed Police Department.

Only a few months ago, Camden was in such dire financial straits that Redd ordered massive layoffs of police officers and firefighters. Some were later rehired, but not everyone got their jobs back.

Nonetheless, Redd now claims that Camden can afford to shell out $100,000 to pay a civilian to oversee a department that already has a competent leader in Chief Scott Thomson. She appointed retired state police Maj. Lanuel J. Ferguson to be the civilian leader in the department.

“We have the money,” Redd told reporters. OK, but is hiring another bureaucrat who will have no actual role in crime fighting the best use for it?

Not in a violent city that has been ranked as one of the most dangerous places in the country.

Also consider that Camden appears to be one of the strongest candidates to buy into an effort to form a Camden County regional police department.

Why would the city create a new post for a force that may soon be phased out?

Ferguson follows a string of previous civilian police directors whose short tenures were unremarkable. The position has been vacant since 2009.

By a 4-2 vote Tuesday, City Council refused to approve the hiring. But Redd believes she has the authority to make the appointment without approval by Council.

Camden needs an adequate number of police officers to keep residents and visitors safe, not another costly layer of bureaucracy.

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RetCop9855

almost 2 years ago

30 Comments

As a retired Sr. Sgt. of some 25 years in Camden (73-98), I have seen this post filled and done away with so many times it is a real joke. I always ended with the "Director of Public Safety" or what ever title you want to use, with both trying to run the police department. In the late 70's early 80's there was state court ruling that said the "Chief" was to over see "Day- to - Day" operations, and the "Director" was just a budgetary position over the Police and Fire departments. But in the end it always failed, as the Director was always prior LEO and still tried to run the PD. So bring back those other 100 officer's and let the citizens get the protection they need.
darsavmo

almost 2 years ago

10766 Comments

Some Council members must have read the comments here on PL earlier this week when this was first proposed...
lajustice

almost 2 years ago

1178 Comments

Man I don't know who this ladies chief of staff / confidant is but they sure are lying to her when she asks if the stuff she has been doing makes sense.
SpencerStangz

almost 2 years ago

420 Comments

my city's last mayor did the same thing...he pushed through a Director of Public Safety...really? many applied for the job but it was given to a man which WE basically had told everything he knew about law enforcement while he was involved with our crime stoppers board. of course he gets paid more than most officers and does exactly what for the citizens?...nothing...Big Thumbs up for the council voting this thing DOWN!!!
clobster

almost 2 years ago

1552 Comments

Granted that $100,000 can probably only hire one officer back, but one officer who gets their job back is better than spending $100,000 on someone who will do little for the people of Camden.
Robocop33

almost 2 years ago

14344 Comments

I think it is rated down because they don't like the idea of a civilian trying to be hired before LEOs.
gycho

almost 2 years ago

436 Comments

Why are people rating this article down?! Everyone has left positive comments! I think it's great that the hiring was blocked. Big thumbs up for "Camden Nixes Hiring Of Civilian Police Director"
Irishcop1961

almost 2 years ago

36868 Comments

Glad the Camden City Council had it's head in the right place.
tremor2

almost 2 years ago

430 Comments

Glad to see the Camden City Council had some guts to see this hiring for what it was, just a political hackjob, and nip it in the bud. Officers being laid off, 'but there's still room for one more political hack.' Unbelievable!
uncledennis1

almost 2 years ago

22238 Comments

I am sure Major Ferguson is drawing a nice pension. Bring back the laid off officers who are probably trying to keep the wolves off the front door. It is not rocket science. Common sense is not so common.
Robocop33

almost 2 years ago

14344 Comments

The last thing you need is two Chiefs. Re-hire your trained Officers, that is what is going to help the city.
DALLASCRANE

almost 2 years ago

19386 Comments

BUMP: PGPD911 Times are tough.
OS441

almost 2 years ago

1038 Comments

I know times are tough, but adding politics to an already spread thin Department will do nothing positive.
ESederquist

almost 2 years ago

170 Comments

Bump PGPD911
esu

almost 2 years ago

498 Comments

If Camden had the necessary population of 100,000 to meet FBI criteria it would be the 5th most dangerous city in the country. They need the 10th mountain div not another director.