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Council approves two‑year police‑chief contract extension; 'for cause' termination retained
Summary
After clarifying renewal language in the prior agreement, Old Tappan councilmembers voted to adopt a two‑year contract for the police chief that councilors said mirrors rank‑and‑file raises and retains termination 'for cause.'
Council discussed the police chief contract after removing it from the consent agenda for separate consideration. A council member summarized the prior contract’s term and said the old language specifically omitted an automatic one‑year rollover; the new agreement was described on the dais as effectively a two‑year arrangement with the option to terminate for cause.
One council member explained the raises in the new chief’s contract "are the same as the rank and file of the police contract currently," noting the approach used to arrive at salary terms. After questions about budget fit for upcoming municipal budget season and confirmation that legal counsel and the committee had reviewed the language, the council moved, seconded and adopted the agreement by roll call.
Councilors emphasized that termination for cause remains the mechanism to remove a chief in the event of a serious incident and that the contract does not preclude the council from consulting legal counsel on personnel matters.
