Paramus Police Promotion Procedures Move Forward

The governing body is moving ahead with establishing a procedural process for granting promotions within the Paramus Police Department, something which officials and the PBA have been working on for well over a year.

Tuesday night the governing body approved the introduction of an ordinance that would set rules for how promotions are granted to the positions of sergeant, lieutenant, captain, detective, detective sergeant and detective lieutanant.

The goal of establishing these rules is to create "fairness and and unbias when making promotions within the police department" eliminating any "political bias" stated Councilman Ralph Amato, who was credited by Mayor Richard LaBarbiera for helping spearhead the process as former police commissioner.

This promotional practice will be based upon merit, experience, education, demonstrated ability, competitive examinations and written submissions "to further efficiency and order within the department" explained Amato.

Discussion regarding putting such a procedure in place has been going on for a number of years.

The governing body was working towards having the rules adopted before the end of 2012 however LaBarbiera said "some eleventh hour comments" from the PBA came in which pushed the process off a few more months.

The PBA has since returned to the governing body with its recommendations which were reviewed and discussed during the public work session meeting which preceeded the regular public meeting.

Amato publicly thanked the PBA for their input during the formulation of this promotion process.

"I think we came up with a process that the entire town should be proud of," said LaBarbiera also commending the PBA for their participation.

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