Mahwah Names New Police Chief After Long Delay

MAHWAH, NJ — After a long delay, the Township Council confirmed Stephen Jaffe as police chief.

The council confirmed Mayor John Roth's appointment of Jaffe Thursday with a 5-2 vote. Council Vice President George Ervin and Councilman James Wysocki cast the two dissenting votes.

"I am pleased that the Town Council gave their consent to my appointment of Steve Jaffe as police chief," Roth said Monday. "It was the right thing to do for the township, for the department, and for Steve Jaffe. My only regret is that it took the council eight weeks to provide its consent."

Roth appointed Jaffe to the position of chief Feb. 24, a move that the majority of the Township Council had to approve. The council was slated to vote on the appointment Feb. 27, but postponed the vote so officials could obtain more information and make an informed decision, Council President David May previously said.

Seven candidates, including Jaffe, another captain, and five lieutenants, were considered and interviewed for the chief's position. Candidates were interviewed for one and a half to two hours each and both captains went on additional one hour interviews.

Roth appointed Jaffe to the position of acting director March 1, a position he held until Thursday.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com