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