TOP COP CONTROVERSY
Mayor announces pick for Police Director, already stirs strong reaction from supporters and detractors alike >>
Mayor Reed Gusciora attracted criticism for not standing up for his interim police Director Pedro Medina, but last night the city leader penned a chapter highlighted by bravery with his nomination of former city police Sgt. Carol Russell as his choice for top cop.
“There has now come the time to name a permanent director for the police department, one who’s engaged in community policing and one who wants to expand the program in Trenton. Ultimately the department is in need of new leadership but at the same time I want to break the glass ceiling for the advancement of our rank and file,” Gusciora explained before his announcement.
If confirmed by City Council members, and attaining that result may prove difficult with South Ward Councilman George Muschal offering an immediate protest by not attending the State of the City speech, Russell could make history as the city’s first African-American police director.
Russell faces potential pushback against a city police force and local police union that historically fights minority leadership. Russell, as black and female, enters uncharted territory. Former Trenton Mayor Douglas H. Palmer expects controversy and underscored that Gusciora and Russell face an arduous voyage.
“First, let me say that this is a bold move on Reed’s part. We have had discussions about this and I can say that the Mayor gave this a lot of thought,” Palmer said.
“There’s always been resentment between the mayor’s office and some police officers. I think there’s a culture there that’s difficult to rise above. Hopefully, police officers and unions will show that they are willing to support Carol and join her in an effort to fight crime successfully.”
Critics accuse Palmer of starting a ginormous rift between police and the mayor during 1999 when Palmer pressed for control of police operations, at least, wanted the power to name a top cop.
In 1999, voters approved a referendum that created mayor-appointed civilian police and fire directors, eliminating the chief positions. Palmer claimed a razor-thin victory during a polarizing campaign that he characterized as “extremely nasty and personal.”
Four years later, Palmer faced another intense fight when he nominated Joseph Santiago as the city’s new police director.
A contentious confirmation hearing included the arrival and testimony of Newark Mayor Sharpe James who recommended Santiago as the ideal choice to lead Trenton’s police department. Santiago and Palmer supporters shared a packed City Council chambers that included police union members who ridiculed the mayor for appointing a flawed leader.
For political theater, nothing could match February 2003 when Trenton Mayor Douglas H. Palmer pitched Joseph Santiago as city police director.
Santiago arrived as used goods following his resignation under duress after serving as state police superintendent for seven months. The attorney general had launched an investigation regarding whether Santiago had obtained a disputed report used in his background clearance. Palmer stood by his man as City Council voted 5-2 in his favor following a contentious confirmation hearing.
“Reed’s going to have to stand with Ms. Russell, too,” Palmer said. “The selection process for a police director has always been difficult, especially since we’re one of the few cities that have gone from a civil service police chief to director. That’s always been resented by certain rank and file police for some time. It’s better but there’s a culture there.”
Palmer blamed a lack of continuous leadership in the mayor’s office has contributed to police leadership problems. He noted that from 1962 through 2010, “there were only three mayors in Trenton. In the last eight years, there’ve been four. Instability in the mayor’s chair impacts the stability of the police department.”
At-Large Councilman Jerell Blakeley hoped for a police director familiar with the intricacies of Trenton.
“We need someone who understands Trenton, someone who can hit the ground running,” Blakeley said. “It’s going to be important that Mayor Gusciora stands with his nominee. I don’t think we witnessed his best effort in regards to what happened with (former interim police) Director Medina. Hopefully, he’s learned something in the past ten days.”
Dissenters said Gusciora failed to fight for Medina as City Council members alleged they would not agree to a 90-day extension for the interim police director. The Mayor allowed Medina to walk then instated Lt. Chris Doyle as interim police director.
“It’s going to be tough,” Palmer assured. “But I support Carol Russell. She’s a product of the community and has great support from residents. If police and others give her a chance, she should do well.”
Retired Trenton police Sgt. Limmie Caver, a 25-year veteran who once headed a significant visible and vocal Brother Officer Law Enforcement Society (BOLES) organization for black policemen, called the night special.
“Never expected to see an African-American woman to be chosen as the Trenton police director,” Caver said.
“I told Carol that this announcement was the easy part. Some people are going to dig into her past and throw dirt but she’s a great woman who will have the support of the community. I think, or at least hope, that most police are in a different place than years ago. We will see.”
L.A. Parker is a Trentonian columnist. Find him on Twitter @LAParker6 or email him at LAParker@ Trentonian.com.