Assemblyman Bob Gordon

GORDON APPLAUDS POLICE CHIEFS FOR EXAMINING CONSOLIDATION ISSUE

(TRENTON) - Assemblyman Bob Gordon commended the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP) and its president, Chief Robert Kugler of Saddle Brook, for undertaking a critical examination of potential issues that municipal police departments are likely to encounter if they were to merge, consolidate or share services.

"Chief Kugler and his colleagues are asking important questions and encouraging an informed debate about the issues that are likely to arise with police consolidations," said Gordon (D-Bergen).

"The association's report identifies the tough questions
communities need to ask if they choose to consider sharing or regionalizing police functions."

Gordon said the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police report - Police Department Regionalization, Consolidation, Merger, and Shared Services - will help municipal officials, taxpayers and public safety personnel understand the impacts and concerns to be considered when proposing consolidations or service sharing plans. The new report was unveiled today at a State House press conference.

Assemblyman Gordon was a member of the Joint Legislative Committee on Government Consolidation and Shared Services during the Special Session of the legislature this past summer.  The Joint Committee on Government Consolidation and Shared Services was responsible for reviewing and formulating proposals that address the sharing of services and regionalization of functions at all levels of government.  Additionally, the committee was charged with considering proposals to consolidate or eliminate State agency functions and State agencies or commissions.

"The police chief's report underscores the inherent complexities that must be identified, examined, and debated before communities enter into an agreement to merge or share police functions," said Gordon.

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