Harrison Police Unions Oppose Civilian Police Director Role

The two unions representing the officers of the Harrison Police Department—Harrison PBA Local 22 and Harrison PBA 22A—have issued a strong joint statement condemning the recent move by the Harrison Mayor & Council to introduce an ordinance creating a new civilian Police Director position. The proposal, which was quietly added to the April 1, 2025, Mayor & Council meeting agenda, has drawn sharp criticism for its lack of transparency, legal concerns, and potential impact on department leadership.

According to the statement released by PBA Local 22 President David Burke and PBA 22A President Lt. Marc Silva, the union leaders oppose the ordinance not only for its substance but for the way it was introduced—without public notice or consultation with the department’s rank-and-file officers. The proposed amendment seeks to revise the police department’s official Table of Organization by creating a Police Director position with a maximum salary of $180,000.

The April 1, 2025 Mayor & Council meeting agenda published on the Town of Harrison’s official website did not include any mention of the Police Director ordinance and through the early part of this weekend the Police Director ordinance was not published to the Town’s official website.

During the April 1st meeting, a member of the public asked during the public session whether there were any additions to the agenda since its publication. It was only then that Town Clerk Paul Zarbetski acknowledged the ordinance had been added. The addition was not formally announced at the start of the meeting, raising questions about procedural compliance and public notice obligations under New Jersey’s Open Public Meetings Act.

YourHarrison.com was the first to report the development in its April 9th article titled Mayor & Council Quietly Move to Add Police Director Position. The story has since fueled public discussion around transparency in local government and the future of policing in Harrison.

In their joint statement, the union presidents criticized the move as “evasion” rather than transparency and pointed to potential legal conflicts created by the ordinance. Specifically, they warned that the proposed Police Director—a politically appointed civilian—would be granted oversight of internal disciplinary matters, an area that New Jersey state law reserves for certified law enforcement professionals. “This isn’t just overreach; it’s a complete disregard for the law and for the structure that keeps departments professional, accountable, and effective,” the statement said.

The union leaders also raised concerns that the ordinance could eventually lead to the elimination of the Police Chief position altogether, replacing career law enforcement leadership with political appointees. “We've seen this playbook before,” the statement read. “A politically appointed director is installed under the guise of reform, and not long after, the role of the Chief of Police is eliminated.”

 “This isn’t about improving the department. It’s about control,” the statement reads.

The ordinance is up for a second reading and final vote on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at 6:15 p.m. at the Harrison Town Hall. They are urging Harrison residents to attend and demand transparency and accountability from their local elected officials.

“To every resident of Harrison: This affects you,” the statement concludes. “When decisions are made behind closed doors, it's not just our department that loses—it’s our entire community.”

The proposed ordinance, if passed, could fundamentally change the structure of police leadership in Harrison. As the April 15 vote approaches, all eyes are now on the Mayor & Council to see whether they will open the floor for public input—or proceed with lack of transparency and with the intent to cut off public and professional input..

The Harrison Police Unions are using hashtags #NoPoliticsInPolicing and #HarrisonDeservesBetter

Are you coming out to support the Harrison Police Department officers?  Stay as long as you can. The meetings normally don't last 1 hour.  Democracy only works if you participate.

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