With the retirement of Captain Ruth Selzam last month after 30 years of service, Plaintalker asked Public Affairs & Safety Director Martin Hellwig about her replacement. He said Lts. Brian Newman and David Guarino were named captains in a recent ceremony.
Captain Newman is in charge of the Criminal Investigation and Narcotics bureaus and Captain Guarino heads the Community Relations and Uniform bureaus. Other bureau leaders are Captain Michael Gilliam, Administration; Captain Edward Santiago, Service; and Captain Steven Soltys, Information Technology.
The Police Division previously had four captains, Hellwig said.
"The additional captain was deemed necessary due to increased demands and responsibilities of the Administration Bureau. A new Administrative Bureau was formed a few years ago as a result of combining the Service and Administration Bureaus In a cost cutting effort. That operational change placed an extraordinary burden on the Administration Captain," Hellwig said.
To see the responsibilities of each bureau, click here.
Plaintalker also asked Director Hellwig about what appeared to be a large number of new officers, some of whom are fluent in Spanish. He said thirty new officers have been hired over the past three years and four are bilingual.
With a population 40% Hispanic as of the 2010 census, only 13% of new police hires are bilingual. That seems particularly light. But we do have Bilingual Daycare!
ReplyDeleteWhen was Gilliam re promoted I thought when Marty took over there were too many Captains and now that he's leaving they are toploading the PD again WTF
ReplyDeleteFrom an April 8, 2013 Plaintalker II post: A settlement was approved for former Police Captain Michael Gilliam, who will receive back pay and pension credit for a period of demotion during which he filed suit against the city and Police Director Martin Hellwig.
DeleteIs this always the way - it takes two men to do the job of one woman.
ReplyDeleteCaptain Ruth will be missed. She was the calm in the storm. So sorry she is gone.
Wow 30 new officers is a lot. But didn't I hear they were suppose to be demoting and/or laying off? I also hear a lot of retirements are coming up so hopefully they can replace the retirees with new officers.
ReplyDeleteYes, Captain Ruth Selzam will be sorely missed! She showed great dedication and devotion to upholding the history, soul and pride of the city of Plainfield. She looked after us all. She listened and reached out a hand whenever she could. I hope that others in the Plainfield Police will pick up where she left off and take the time to get to know individuals within the different communities of Plainfield. While we all wish her well, her absence is evident.
ReplyDelete