Council prez pans plan for public safety director
Marlboro mayor calls for police chief to resign from dept.
BY TALI ISRAELI
Staff Writer

Marlboro

MARLBORO - With the mayor's request for the police chief's resignation still pending, Township Council President Jeff Cantor said he would not support appointing a director of law and public safety to oversee the police department.

Following the news of Mayor Robert Kleinberg's request last week that he resign, Police Chief Robert Holmes, who could not be reached directly, was quoted in one published report saying he would not quit.

Reacting to the chief's response, Kleinberg told the News Transcript he is looking into all options available to the township. He said one of those options is to hire a director of law and public safety to restore some of the leadership that the mayor believes is currently lacking in the police department.

A director of law and public safety is a civilian position and not a uniformed member of the police department.

According to Township Attorney Andrew Bayer, the position of director of law and public safety already exists in the municipal structure. If the mayor wants to appoint someone to that position, the council would have to pass a resolution approving the appointment. If a majority of the council fails to approve such a resolution, the appointment would not go forward, he said.

Cantor said he would be against the position because taxpayers would have to absorb the cost of a new supervisory position in addition to Holmes' salary as chief. He said taxpayers have too much of a burden already and the position would add to that burden. The council president said there are other members of the council who share his opinion.

"The important thing here is that we don't jeopardize the safety of the residents and we go through due process to ensure that any situation that comes up is handled appropriately," Cantor said.

When asked if he would have council support on appointing someone to oversee the police department, Kleinberg said it was premature to answer that question because he has not discussed the matter with the council yet. He noted that hiring a director of law and public safety is only one option the administration is considering.

"I will not be held hostage by any of our employees. We will do what we have to do to protect the people of Marlboro and the taxpayers," the mayor added.

Cantor said the council was not aware that Kleinberg was going to request the chief's resignation. He added that the council has not been involved in the process at all.

The mayor's demand that Holmes resign became public when a daily newspaper published a story about the matter last week. Holmes has been with the police department for more than 30 years.

Kleinberg confirmed Cantor's statement and said the request for the chief's resignation was an administrative decision.

Holmes was asked to resign on Jan. 9 during a meeting with the mayor, Business Administrator Judith Tiernan and township labor attorney Matthew Giacobbe. Two days later, Kleinberg said, Holmes asked to be allowed to take family medical leave, which the mayor said he "gladly accepted."

Kleinberg would not comment on how long the chief would be out or the reason for the medical leave.

The mayor said he requested Holmes' resignation because he believes the chief's personal problems have reached a point where they are adversely affecting the efficiency of the operations of the police department.

"I do not involve myself with the personal affairs of employees, but when those affairs adversely affect their ability to do their job and the smooth operation of the department then it becomes my business," the mayor said.

When asked if specific incidents led him to ask Holmes to resign, Kleinberg said those matters are being handled through the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office and he deferred questions of that nature to the prosecutor for comment.

Monmouth County Prosecutor Luis A. Valentin could not be reached for comment on this matter.

Although Cantor said he knows that issues have come up between the mayor and Holmes, he is not privy to the exact reason that Kleinberg asked the chief to resign.

Holmes is afforded his right to go through due process, Cantor said, adding that if it is proven he has performed in a way unbecoming of a police officer then Holmes should resign.

Regarding the appointment of a director of law and public safety, Cantor said he believes it is the mayor's right to suggest solutions to possible problems. However, he said, once someone is appointed to that position residents would need to know why it was necessary to fill the position, and how doing so would enhance providing a safe and secure environment for them.

Kleinberg said it was premature to respond to a question about whether he believes taxpayers would stand for a person to be placed in a position that might carry a six-figure salary without knowing the reasons he asked Holmes to resign.

"It's one of the factors we are willing to consider," the mayor said. "I have no problem telling you anything you want, just get permission from the Monmouth County prosecutor."