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Council seeks verification that special police officers are Newark residents after public concern
Summary
After the council reviewed lists of appointments for special police officers, members asked police leadership to confirm how residency is verified following a complaint that an appointed officer lived outside Newark.
Council members questioned the residency verification process for special police officers after the administration presented two appointment lists: 78 Newark residents and nine non‑Newark residents.
Deputy Director Leo Carillo of the Newark Police Department told the council the first list of 78 names are confirmed Newark residents following verification by the department’s candid investigations team; nine appointees on a separate list are non‑residents. Carillo said the commission is renewed annually and applications typically require paperwork and site visits to confirm residency.
Council members asked whether the city investigates addresses and noted an earlier complaint alleging an officer on the list lived in Elizabeth, not Newark. Carillo said the investigations team conducts site visits and requires supporting documentation as part of the application process; he agreed to look into the specific allegation about the officer from Elizabeth and to provide a follow-up to the council. A council member asked whether non‑Newark residents will continue to be added; Carillo said any addition of a non‑resident would require a waiver of residency.
The administration confirmed the current total number of special police officers whose commissions were renewed for the year would be 87 (78 Newark residents and nine non‑Newark residents). Council members requested further documentation about the department’s verification process and any investigations related to previous complaints.
