MY FINAL AND LONG SAY ON THE ROGER'S RESOLUTION

My bad Gut feeling about the advisability of entering a contract with the Rogers group at this time is based on the following factors.

But first I want to make it clear that after receiving Capt Soltys’ communication there is no question that there are serious problems with the Police Department that must be addressed.

He notes that current policies need to be updated and should meet “future standards”. He infers that the current staff needs training to be able to develop the expertise to accomplish that function.

Capt Soltys writes”This accreditation will allow the Police Division to improve orders and directives and keep them updated on a rigid schedule”” He also notes that they do not have the tools to properly distribute items or retain them electronically. That everything has to be done manually; policies and files are kept in three ring binders and are sometimes .misplaced or missing pages.

Capt Soltys may be repeating Director Hellwig’s contention in putting the cart before the horse; since “accreditation’” will not caused the reforms badly needed but accomplishing those changes will permit accreditation.

Since there is no question that there is a drastic need for rehabilitation of the Division (from childhood I have considered it a Department, but then it had a Chief) why would I want the Council; to table this Resolution?

Aside from the Dollars and Cents which I will go into later I have several issues that bother me.

The first is the collegial relationship the Consultant has with the New Jersey Association of Chiefs of Police.* I am not sure that he was not at one time an officer in that organization. There may be an ethical problem.

Rogers is the only group in the State providing these services. In fact a map in his site depicting municipalities who have used his services to receive “accreditation” is 90% solid. Could that be coincidental? There must be many other highly qualified Consultants nationwide to provide these services.

It is true that the NJACP does not issue the “Accreditation” but it is a nationwide non profit “The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc., (CALEA^®)” that has developed the admirable standards required. If they are met, I am sure “accreditation” would not be denied.

The Rogers group offers essential training programs that all officers must be familiar with. This is important in limiting exposure to law suits. Among these programs are:  Leadership and Supervision, Workplace Harassment Policy, Cultural Awareness and Diversity, Motor vehicle incidents, Alcohol testing, etc. They may be and should be done by a live body in a classroom situation but the Resolution mentions a fee for “On line Training” That leaves much to be desired.

If the Division does not require every officer to be proficient in all these fields it has been derelict in its operation. I am also sure that there must be other ongoing sources for this training.

This Blog is already too long and I have other points. But, just restrict ourselves to the Finances. It is true that the money for this initial year will come from County held “Special Law Enforcement Trust Fund; but what of future years that are contracted for?

The funds called for are for 1 year; a registration fee with the NJSACOP $6,000; Rogers Group 1 year Consultation fee $47,000.

This year and annually; Rogers Group On Line Training Program $21,920, Guardian Tracking $2826; and Innovative Data Solutions $4897.

That brings me to my final objection for the moment; to approve this resolution submitted by a Director who will not be around to follow through on even the initial year and will handcuff the next director is bad governance. I would feel different if it were an emergency; but it is not.