Audit: Hoboken Needs Fewer Police

The State's audit of the Hoboken Police Department recommends a reduction in staff, the possible elimination of the position of Director of Public Safety and the possible adaptation of a 40-hour workweek. 

"Upon review of the Hoboken Police Department (Division of Local Government Services) staff generally found the Department in need of consistent and reliable leadership, amended staffing numbers and technologically sufficient equipment to meet the policing needs in Hoboken," the audit states.

Police Chief Anthony Falco and Director of Public Safety Angel Alicea were not in place yet when the audit was conducted. Since the audit was started, Hoboken has seen two new mayors (The audit was requested by Mayor Dave Roberts' administration), and since then, the city budget has been put under the supervision of State Fiscal Monitor Judy Tripodi.  

Mayor Dawn Zimmer said she received the police audit Friday afternoon.

"On Friday at 5 p.m, I received the long awaited Operation Audit of the Hoboken Police Department from Division of Local Government Services Director Susan Jacobucci," Zimmer said in a statement. 

Around 6 p.m. on Friday, Zimmer announced on Twitter: "I just received the police audit. More news to come on Monday." Around 9 a.m. on Monday, the audit was sent to the media. 

According to the audit, the Hoboken Police Department needs one chief, three captains, 12 lieutenants, 26 sergeants and 60 or 70 officers. According to the audit: "This determination reflects a reduction in staff from 158 to 112 or 102, depending on the methodology applied." 

The audit also recommends to raise the workweek from 35 hours to the regular 40 hours a week. The difference between those two workweeks comes down to 255 hours a year per employee, or 38,500 hours for the Department (the equivalent of 18 officers). The audit recommends the mayor to address this issue during labor union negotiations with the police.

The audit, performed by the state's Division of Local Government Services, is partially based on crimes statistics. The audit reported that there has been a slight decrease in crime in Hoboken. 

The audit states that it should serve as a blue print for "steps that the City may take to provide fiscally responsible essential police services to the people who live, work, shop and raise children within the City of Hoboken."