Police Chiefs Have Sabagh's Back

Police chiefs from around the state stood before the council Tuesday to support Montclair Police Chief David Sabagh, who stands to lose control over his department if the town moves forward with plans to hire a police director.

The council approved 6-1 a resolution to hire a civilian police director at its Oct. 29 meeting, with Councilman-at-Large Rich McMahon casting the one descending vote. 

Hiring a police director would be a mistake, Montclair State University Police Chief Paul Cell, president of the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police President, told the council.

The civilian position has no police power, Cell said, adding that the existence of a civilian director has been known to be bad for morale and day-to-day operations of a department, and puts an unnecessary burden on taxpayers. 

"Having David Sabagh as your chief is the smartest thing you could do," Cell said. "It's absurd to hire another level of management."

Maplewood Police Chief Robert Cimino presented Sabagh's record as evidence he does not need additional oversight.

Crime in the township has decreased by almost 37% since Sabagh became chief almost a decade ago, Cimino said. 

The chief, he said, also founded the Montclair Police Foundation, instituted a street crimes unit and resurrected a community policing unit, assigned a police liaison for each school, and computerized the department, among other achievements. 

The chiefs also slammed reports that Sabagh, who has served as Montclair Chief since 2004, was responsible for delays in promotions, pointing to the township manger as the one ultimately responsible for hiring. 

Retired Deputy Police Chief Perry Mayers, whose position was never filled, also came out in support of Sabagh. 

Mayers pointed out that Dashield was formerly the city administrator for Plainfield, where the position of chief was later eliminated during a reorganization of the department. 

"Leave the leadership of this department where it belongs in the very capable hands of Chief Sabagh," Mayers said. 

The chiefs also slammed accusations made by anonymous sources in an article in the town weekly that Sabagh dragged his feet on promotions, saying the township manager is ultimately responsible for hiring decisions. Sources in the article also claim the chief was a "no-show" at major crime scenes in recent years.

Thomas Reynolds, head of the Montclair Chapter of the NAACP, was the only member of the public to speak in favor of creating the police director position. 

It's a "smart move, a good move," said Reynolds.  The person who fills the position, he said, could make the department more accessible to residents.

Chiefs from Caldwell, West Caldwell, Edison and South Brunswick were also in attendance. 

A public hearing on the police director position will be held in December.