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The first paid police department was in 1928 and their headquarters was in a small room in the Hose Company firehouse on Marshall
Ave. Some of the names might sound familiar, as many of there relatives still live in town. The Chief was Frank Trinka and the officers were
Stanley Kavrik, Robert Van Wettering Sr., William Kaye, Charles Scheidivy, Charles Balala, Fred Hager, Barney Kajain, and Henry Stromeyer. It is
unknown if all the members were full time police or special police officers. Prior to 1928 there is a listing of a police department with many of
the same names but no mention if they were paid or special officers. Up until the late 70's and early 80's the police department was supplemented
by special police officers. The special officers filled in for regular officers who were on vacation or sick, they were paid an hourly wage and
worked when available. At that time the specials did not have to attend the police academy but were armed and had full police powers while on duty.
Today no special police officers are armed or work patrol.
The police department was located in the firehouse until 1971 when the new municipal building at 1 Katherine Street was opened. Although at the
time the building was new and a pleasant change; the police department was located in the lower level and unfortunately we outgrew it well before
its time. Towards the end of 1999 just as hurricane Floyd paid us a visit we moved. Today the police department maintains most of the lower level
of the new municipal complex located at 215-217 Liberty Street. The building has state of the art security with two new cells for the temporary
holding of prisoners. For extra security a sally port (special garage for prisoners) was included where the police car pulls in and only after the
door behind is closed, they remove prisoners from their vehicles. There are cameras posted throughout the building and they are monitored at the
main desk. The dispatch area is designed so that several persons can operate it in the event of a severe emergency. It appears that it will be some
time before this building will be outgrown. For a tour of our police station click here.
Many things have changed since 1928 and the most recent event was the hiring process of the two new officers. The process now in effect to hire new
officers is a long and difficult task. First to be qualified a candidate must have at least 60 college credits to be a police officer in Little
Ferry. The candidates must then take a written test given by the International Police Chief's Association. The Police Chief's Association provides
the tests, monitors them, and then sends them out of state to be graded; there is no interaction between the association and local chief or any
other official. When the chief receives the results the top thirty candidates were invited to take the physical agility test, which was
administered in Mahwah by the diretor of physical fitness for the police academy. The combined score of the top twenty were invited back for the
oral interview with members of the Police Chief's Association who again provided scores. The top ten candidates with the highest combined scores
then had to be interviewed by the Mayor and Council and Chief Verdi. To avoid the governing body knowing who might be number one the names were
picked out of a hat prior to being interviewed. All questions that were asked to each candidate were the same. The Mayor and Council picked the top
two candidates from the 77 that originally took the test.
Besides the way officers are hired, the procedures of promotions have also changed. To be promoted to the rank of Sergeant the officer must be a
patrolman for five years. To be eligible for Lieutenant the officer must be a Sergeant for three years. After you are eligible you are then
required to take an exam again given by the Police Chief's Association. Credit is given in regards to seniority, productivity, and education. The
present table of organization is a Chief, two Captains, four Lieutenants, four Sergeants and sixteen patrolmen. |
