Paramus Moves Forward With Police Officer Hiring

The hiring process for two new Paramus police officers is well underway.

A number of applications have been recieved in response to the borough's advertisement, reported Borough Administrator Joseph D'Arco on Tuesday.

D'Arco told the mayor and council during Tuesday's work session meeting, all applications have come in to his office and will be broken into groups of those which met the borough's qualifications and those which did not so that all can be reviewed. The qualifications were not specified at the meeting.

Paramus officials started the hiring process for two new officers last month a move that addresses the shortage of manpower in the department due to retirements and a previous hiring freeze. At the end of 2011, three new officers were hired, the first following the hiring freeze which was put in back in 2009.

The department is said to be down 28 officers, according to outgoing Chief Christopher Brock.

Changes in the department leadership are also underway as Chief Brock, who announced last month he would retire after nearly 30 years with the department, prepares for his departure over the next week. Brock's retirement is not to take effect until June 1, however the retiring chief is said to be using unused vacation time beforehand. 

Kenneth Ehrenberg was promoted from Captain to Deputy Chief last month. His promotion opens up a position for captain which officials have said previously will need to be filled as soon as possible.

Meanwhile officials had said last month they were still waiting to hear back from the PBA regarding an ordinance that would set rules for how promotions would be given amongst ranking officers.