Crime & Safety

Paramus Promotes New Chief, with Rachel Morgan in Attendance

Christopher Brock named chief

Christopher Brock had a surprise visitor Tuesday night as he was named chief of the .

Paramus Police Officer Rachel Morgan greeted Brock as he accepted the Borough Council's decision to name him permanent chief of the department.

Brock had been serving as acting chief since former deputy chief James Sheehan . Morgan's appearance came less than a week after being , and a little more than two weeks after she was shot after making a traffic stop on Route 17.

Brock said Morgan's appearance took him completely by surprise.

"It made a great night that much greater," he said.

Brock's family, friends and nearly the entire Paramus Police Department crowded council chambers to celebrate Brock's promotion. Brock ordered the officers to stand in front of the dais to receive a round of applause from the attendees.

Morgan stood with them, helped to stay on her feet by her fellow officers. She shared an embrace with Officer Ryan Hayo, who was the first to respond after she was shot.

Brock is the 10th chief of the Paramus Police Department, and the third person to head the department in the last year, succeeding Sheehan and former chief Richard Cary.

"His promotion just puts a concrete leader there," Michael Rohdieck, councilman and police commissioner, said.

While Brock was in the dark about Morgan's appearance, Mayor Richard LaBarbiera said many of the officers were in on the surprise. Morgan entered Council Chambers as Brock walked to the podium to accept his promotion, and the two shared an embrace.

"There's no way for me to thank everybody that's here tonight to share in this occasion and in this moment for me," he said.


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