Rallies Planned By Opponents Of Toms River Police Captains' Cuts

TOMS RIVER, NJ — A pair of rallies have been organized by opponents of a proposal by Toms River Mayor Daniel Rodrick to cut two captains' positions in the police department to fund the addition of eight EMTs for the township.

One rally is set for 3 p.m. Tuesday at the corner of Washington and Robbins streets, and the second is set for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday outside Town Hall at 33 Washington St., both aiming to show support for the police department.

The rallies are set ahead of Wednesday's Township Council meeting, set for 7 p.m., where the council is expected to hold a second hearing and vote on an ordinance that would cut two captains' positions, a patrol officer and the media relations position.

The council meeting is set to be held via Zoom, a change announced Jan. 25 by Council President Craig Coleman. The announcement was accompanied by a statement from Coleman issued a statement saying the move to Zoom was to accommodate an anticipated overflow crowd and "to ensure the safety of its participants and to give those who wish to speak the opportunity."

Read more: Toms River Council Moves Jan. 31 Meeting To Zoom

Councilmen David Ciccozzi and James Quinlisk have opposed the move to Zoom, saying it undermines the intent of the state's Open Public Meetings Act.

Ciccozzi and Quinlisk both voted against the ordinance when it was introduced at a special meeting on Jan. 18, both receiving resounding applause from the police officers present. They said they "strongly object" to the decision to make the next one virtual, saying transparency is "the cornerstone of good government."

Read more: Councilmen Demand Controversial Toms River Police Vote To Be In-Person

Rodrick sent a letter to township residents on Friday reiterating his reasons for the change, which he said is to pay for the addition of eight community service officers — emergency medical technicians — as the township faces what he says is a $3.5 million budget shortfall for 2024.

He said the EMTs are critically needed because of issues with response times for ambulances in the township, and says the captains' positions are costing the township $700,000 in salary, pension and health benefits.

Rodrick insists the police department is not being reduced, and in his letter cited the hiring of "seven patrol officers." Those seven hires are special law enforcement officers Class I, according to information obtained by Patch through an Open Public Records Act request. Class I officers are not permitted to carry weapons and do not have arrest powers.

Rodrick's letter prompted a response from Police Chief Mitchell Little, who said the department has been trying to hire more EMTs for a while, but that there have been few applicants for the job. Read more: Toms River Police Chief Refutes Mayor's Claims On Police Staffing

Additional coverage:

Plan To Cut Police Positions Sparks Outrage In Toms River