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Millville adds lieutenant posts to police department amid staffing debate
Summary
The commission approved an ordinance authorizing additional lieutenant positions in the Millville Police Department despite objections from at least one commissioner who said the change would reduce sergeants on the street.
The Millville City Commission approved an ordinance amending the Millville code to add up to additional lieutenants in the police department, a measure supporters said will free sergeants from administrative duties so they can return to street patrols.
The ordinance passed on second reading following extended public and commissioner discussion about department staffing levels and supervision. Police Chief Ross Hoffman told the commission the “up to” language means the ordinance authorizes positions but does not require immediate filling of every slot. He said the new lieutenants would assume many administrative duties, allowing patrol sergeants to spend more time on the street.
Commissioner Sui opposed the measure on the grounds that it would not increase “feet on the street” immediately and that, with current vacancies, creating higher‑paid supervisory positions could reduce the number of sergeants available for patrol. “This is not gonna help with feet on the street,” Commissioner Sui said during the public hearing.
Chief Hoffman said the intent is to place lieutenants in supervisory roles so sergeants are not tied to review and administrative work such as body‑camera reviews and use‑of‑force paperwork. He said at full staffing the department could have up to six lieutenants to provide 24‑hour lieutenant supervision across shifts.
The ordinance passed by roll call: Commissioner Hewitt yes; Vice Mayor Watson yes; Commissioner Kasaboon yes; Commissioner Sui no; Mayor Romnick yes.
Supporters said the change would reduce liability and administrative burden on patrol sergeants; opponents said the change could leave fewer sergeants available for street patrols if positions were converted without simultaneous recruitment and hiring.
Commissioners noted hiring plans and an upcoming academy class (the chief said the department expects slots by August) but acknowledged recruiting and academy timing would delay immediate changes to patrol staffing. The ordinance’s “up to” language was highlighted by both supporters and critics as the mechanism that allows flexibility in implementation.
