Saturday, April 27, 2013

Hellwig: Police and Fire Need Civilian Directors

Thursday's meeting of the Charter Study Commission had many interesting aspects, but perhaps none so intriguing as Public Safety Director Martin Hellwig's suggestion that there should be civilian directors over each of the department's two divisions, Police and Fire.

Hellwig's views came out in responses to the question, "Does Plainfield need the Department of Public Affairs & Safety in its current form?" as well as to additional questions by CSC Commissioner Mary Burgwinkle. Up until the current administration, this department had a civilian director over Police and Fire chiefs. The position of Police Chief was abolished in 2008, leaving captain as the highest rank attainable. The department had also included Health, Inspections, Recreation and other social service divisions until a reorganization in the 1990s.

Hellwig, who held previous law enforcement titles in Essex  County, said he stopped going to police chief meetings there because "the chiefs did not have the best interest of the community at heart" and instead had a "me, me, me" attitude. Coming to Plainfield, he said he had no idea he would become police director and  alluded to a "culture" in the each division that led him to believe they have to have "someone outside to take charge."

Hellwig said when he turned back $20,000 in unexpended budget funds, the former police chief and captains challenged him. He alluded to "hiding money" and feelings of "self-interest and self-preservation" in the Police Division and suggested Police and Fire need civilian directors to run each on a day-to-day basis.

After Hellwig answered the 22 interview questions, Burgwinkle said she had read his resume and found it very impressive. She asked him how many municipalities have civilian police directors and he said "between six and eight." Asked whether they were large or small, he mentioned Hillside, Newark and Elizabeth as examples. Saying a "strong individual" is needed to deal with police divisions, he said they tend to push oversight away and "civilian oversight is definitely needed."

 The title of police director was established in 2008 after the office of police chief was abolished. Hellwig was allowed to hold the title in acting capacity for one year in addition to being Public Safety director and was named permanent police director in March 2009. His term was to be concurrent with that of the mayor, ending on Dec. 31, 2009. The mayor won re-election for a second term beginning Jan. 1, 2010. Hellwig was reappointed to both titles, but no salary ordinance for police director was passed until early 2010. As police director under the department head title he also holds, in effect he reports to himself. He only draws one salary.

Burgwinkle asked Thursday which title he preferred and Hellwig said although the position of police director was "extremely rewarding," he would simply rather be the Public Safety director.

Asked which way was the best organization for Plainfield, Hellwig suggested a civilian director for the Police Division and one for the Fire Division, both reporting to the city administrator. One advantage, he said, was that a civilian director could be discharged, while a chief cannot.

Unlike the Police Division, the Fire Division is still headed by a chief. Frank Tidwell was named to the post in 2011. See posts here and here.

Thursday's meeting also included interesting interviews with City Council members Cory Storch and Rebecca Williams. Their responses, as well as Hellwig's, will be posted on the CSC blog. Recordings of the interviews are also available.

--Bernice

10 comments:

  1. Why not Mayor, City Administrator, Deputy City Administrator, Police Chief, Fire Chief, and the rest of the City's business run by professional civil servants, in logical department order, hopefully groomed and homegrown, risen through the ranks, and non-political? There's a great deal that can be done to streamline city government and make it, and the services provided, more accountable and effective.

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  2. Can we trust Hellwig. Sharon shoe best interest of the people in Plainfield at heart. I felt safer when we had a police chief. Let's take what Hellwit says with a grain of salt and the realization that Sharon's evil shadow looms over him and many who owe her allegience.

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  3. Guess the rest of the Police Division knew there was $20,000 sent back. Since Officers wait over a year to get replacement uniforms because they are told that no money is available. Another lie by Hellwig. Notice that politicians always recommend politicians as the answer. He doesn't want the Police Director job because he can no longer blame Santiago and found out its a lot of work where what does the Public Safety Director do but blame those under him. How about interviewing the past Police Chiefs and the Chiefs State organization.

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  4. Hellwig is the biggest one to protect his "self-interest and self-preservation"

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  5. WOW another civilian director for the Fire Department. Do you have a family member Marty who needs a job and lives out of state like you? Why do we need a Public Safety Director at all. We need a police chief and fire chief only. Eliminate the Director of Public Safety position and save the tax payers that salary. Oh yes lets eliminate his car also. Why should we have to pay his commutation costs from Staten Island to Plainfield twice daily.

    This is a man who eliminated three captain positions to save money and them goes and hires 12-13 new officers.... Where was the savings to the people of Plainfield. I am sure his answer would be from a grant. Remember people grants have a life span and when the grant runs out the taxpayers have to make up the difference. NEW MATH?

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  6. Civilian? I thought the Mayor & Administrator were over the Police and Fire? Or are they just around to decide which bushes get trimmed?

    GB

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  7. When it comes to Fire and Police... to actually run the departments.. I'll be the first to fold and say I WANT a Police Chief and I want a Fire Chief ..
    Have there been situations in the past where maybe that wasn't a great situation, yes..yes there have and there always will be here and there in the future.. But I believe a Police and Fire Chief take pride in their departments, their men and their work.. That is felt throughout the ranks. My 2cents.

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  8. Since Hellwig has been at the helm the overtime in the police department is out of control. Why is City Council not looking into this?

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  9. I ASKED REBECCA WILLIAMS A LIST OF QUESTIONS REGARDING THE POLICE DEPARTMENT UNITS AND OVERTME SHE HAS YET TO POST THE ANSWERS THAT SHE CLAIMED TO HAVE ON HER BLOG
    HELLWIG NEES TO GO AND BRING BACK THE CHIEF AND RESPECTABLITY TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT

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  10. Hi, Bernice,

    I told this anonymous individual (8:54 pm) that I would post the information I received about police overtime on my blog. I have received some data, but have to find a way to post it in a readable format--I have not had a chance to do so as yet. This anonymous individual has been harassing me in comments (which I have not published) to my blog.

    He or she seems not to know that the blog is NOT a part of my council duties but, instead, is an outlet that I use to let my constituents know what is on my mind. The information he/she seeks is public information, available by making a request through the clerk's office. I will not be harassed by anonymous Internet bullies for information that they can easily access through other channels. Anyone who wants the info I have is welcome (until I have a chance to figure out the proper way to post it) to contact me at my city council email address and I will forward the information.

    Rebecca

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