Fair Lawn Police Chief Announces Retirement

Fair Lawn Police Chief Erik Rose, a 30-year veteran of the force, announced his retirement from the department Friday.

Rose's last day on the job is April 1, but his retirement won't officially take effect until Dec. 31, manager Tom Metzler said. He'll be utilizing his accumulated time to take off from April until his retirement date, Metzler said.

Rose, who joined the force in 1983, moved up the ranks and eventually became the department's acting chief beginning in October 2003 after former Chief Rod Marshall retired. He was officially sworn in as Fair Lawn's sixth police chief in May 2004.

Metzler wished Rose well and commended him for his lengthy service to the department.

“He has served the borough of Fair Lawn honorably for 30 years," said Metzler, who worked under Rose as a dispatcher, before becoming Rose's boss later in his career. "Anyone that puts 30 years in the same place, I think that in itself is a commendable thing."

Rose's retirement comes eight days after that of . Since 2007, both Rose and Cook have been named as defendants in multiple lawsuits and grievances filed by Fair Lawn police officers alleging harassment, disparate treatment and retaliatory tactics.

In January 2012, 92 percent of the Fair Lawn Policemen's Benevolent Association took a "no confidence" vote in the leadership of the department under Rose and Cook.

Despite the internal strife within the department, Metzler said Rose's decision to retire was his own and that he left in good standing.

"When you’re in a management position there’s always going to be controversy," Metzler said. "When there’s not, you’re probably not doing your job."

Metzler declined to comment on who might succeed Rose as chief, although with he and Cook now gone, Capt. Glen Cauwels becomes the highest ranking officer in the department. 

Rose was unavailable for comment.