UNION CITY – Police Chief Brian Barrett announced his retirement from the department on Friday, after only 15 months as the city’s top cop.
Barrett inherited the job after the resignation of former chief Charles Everett, who was embroiled in scandal after being accused of collecting money for off-duty security details he allegedly never showed up for.
Barrett told NJ.com his first priority when coming on as chief was restoring the integrity and effectiveness of the department, a goal which he believes he fulfilled.
“Between the mayor and I, we held over 60 police community meetings,” he said. “I believe public confidence [in the department] has returned.”
In a press release, Mayor Brian Stack said he was sorry to see Barrett go, and that he was proud of the job he did as chief.
“Chief Barrett assumed a leadership role at a critical period in the history of our department. I am sorry to see him go,” Stack said. “I am proud to say that Union City provides top-rate public safety services and enjoys safe streets.”
Amongst other actions, Barrett eliminated the hierarchy that was in place previously which gave senior officers a better shot at collecting off-duty security details.
“We got rid of the secret details eligible to a certain few and now everyone gets a chance,” Barrett said in the report.
Furthermore, Barrett noted that in 2012, robberies were down 11 percent, burglaries were down 15 percent and thefts were down 19 percent.
According to NJ.com, Barrett, 54, joined the North Bergen police department on his eighteenth birthday, and joined the Union City force in 1981.
“It has been a very fruitful and satisfying position, especially dealing with the public, and you know you make a difference every day,” Barrett said.
While the new police chief will be appointed by Mayor Brian Stack, Barrett has named Capt. Richard Molinari as acting chief until such an appointment is made. – Dean DeChiaro