JACKSON, NJ – Jackson Township could soon be hiring a public safety director to create a link between the township governing body and the police department. Today, Council President Jennifer Kuhn, when asked about the position confirmed that an ordinance would be voted on at Tuesday’s meeting to create the job, requirements for the job will be strict.
Kuhn said that once approved after a second reading, the position of public safety director will require a minimum of twenty years of prior police service with police management experience required. All applicants for the position would need to have obtained the rank of sergeant or higher to be considered.
This requirement ensures that the position has a strong background in police department management.
“We want to make sure that applicants are extremely qualified and have the necessary experience needed to perform the duties of this new position,” the councilwoman said today in an interview with Shore News Network.
According to a posting on the township’s website: The Jackson Township Council, on Tuesday 2-13-24, will consider for introduction an ordinance adding a Director of Law and Public Safety position. This position will act as a liaison between the Jackson Police Department, and the Township Administration.
Council President Jennifer Kuhn said she and fellow council members met and spoke with the Jackson PBA Unions and that the unions strongly recommended the addition of the Director of Public Safety position.
The move comes with support from the two police unions in Jackson and after a scandal that rocked the department this week regarding a sex scandal involving a now-retired police officer and a police department employee.
The Township Council will vote on this ordinance at Tuesday’s February 13th regular township council meeting.
Under the proposed ordinance, the Director of Public Safety position does not replace the Chief of Police or eliminate the position. Instead, this force multiplying role will be tasked with helping make corrective recommendations to the administration such as; budgeted items, report on police department-related issues to the township, establish police performance and standards policy, and stay ahead of ever-changing New Jersey state mandates for reporting and accountability of local police departments as directed by the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office.