Crime & Safety

Montclair Police Disapprove of Chief's Performance

Top ranks and officers give their leader a vote of "no confidence".

Montclair Police Department members representing all ranks of the agency announced a unanimous vote of "no confidence" in their chief to the Montclair Council Monday night, according to The Montclair Times.

The council chambers were standing room only with a large representation of the force present to hear the law enforcement agency's union leaders proclaim their disapproval of Police Chief David Sabagh's performance, the Times reported. 

The chief has been criticized for being a "no-show" at a number of violent crime incidents in recent years. He is also said to have dropped the ball on promotions and failed to replace a faulty radio system.

The unprecedented move comes weeks after the council introduced a resolution to hire a civilian police director who would oversee the chief.

Last week, police chiefs from around the state spoke up in Sabagh's defense, calling him an honorable and accomplished chief who was looked up to among his peers. 


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