JERSEY CITY — The same week that Jersey City police officers were protesting impending layoffs in front of City Hall, four inspectors were promoted to the deputy chlef position.
According to news reports, the inspectors were promoted Friday to the rank of deputy chief. The inspector position had been slated for elimination by the city, with those serving in that rank to be demoted to captain. City spokesperson Jennifer Morrill could not be reached for comment.
Now the department has five deputy chiefs, with the four new ones joining Peter Nalbach, who has served as deputy chief since 2007. A city source told the Jersey City Reporter that it is believed two of the new deputy chiefs are Robert Kilduff and Hugh Donaghue, who has been touted as a future police chief.
The promotions are a contrast to the rally by police on Wednesday before the City Council meeting to protest the city’s pending layoffs of 82 officers and the demotion of 12 supervisors next year to save money. An estimated 200 officers were out in force in the cold, holding up signs reading “Fire the Cronies, Save the Cops” and “Healy is Anti-Labor.”
The city and the Jersey City Police Officers Benevolent Association (POBA), the union organizing the protest, are at an impasse over the layoffs. The city has asked the union to forgo a $1,300 annual uniform allowance and agree to a pay lag in 2011. The police have opposed those recommendations and propose revenue generating initiatives including imposing a “public safety fee” on tax abated buildings. – Ricardo Kaulessar
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