Bergen Cty. Police Depts. Considering Merger
NEW YORK (WCBS 880) – Three Bergen County police departments are considering merging to save money.
It's an idea that's been talked about for years, WCBS 880's Sean Adams reports, and now it may become a reality.
Podcast
LISTEN: WCBS 880's Sean Adams reports
Demarest, Clouster and Halworth are going to study the possibility of merging police departments in order to save taxpayers' money.
Demarest Mayor James Carroll said it's a good way to cut the duplication of certain tasks.
"Rather than having three chiefs, three separate administrators... You'll have one chief, one person be able to administrate the schedule, benefits and all these other things, rather than having a duplication of services," Carroll said.
Carroll said the unified department will have more assets and greater flexibly.
"I think we're forced though. I don't think we have any choice. If everybody wants to keep the small town quaintness, we're going to have to look at ways to make it more affordable," Carroll said.
The Demarest chief thinks it's a good idea, too. He commands about a dozen officers. A consolidated department would have fifty.
Money for the project is coming from the Bergen County prosecutor's office.
