Township Manager Proposes Reducing Number of Ranksmen in Police Department

Galloway Township Manager Arch Liston proposed reducing the number of ranksmen in the police department, but said no layoffs are planned for the department "at this time."

He also said the township has not yet begun laying off employees at the council meeting on Tuesday night, Oct. 23.

He estimated that reducing the number of supervisors to 11 would save the township $205,000. He proposed eliminating the rank of lieutenant, stating he wants to make sure cops remain on the street. According to Liston, there are three lieutenants in the department.

"We're not eliminating officers, just restructuring the department," Mayor Don Purdy clarified.

"Nobody's happy about this situation," Liston said.

Recently, Galloway Police Officer Jacqueline Crocker was injured apprehending a suspect during a pursuit through the woods.

"A couple of days later, I saw her working with a cast on her wrist," Purdy said. " ... I feel comfortable knowing we have professionals like that working on our streets."

According to Deputy Mayor Tony Coppola, this is the second restructuring for the police department in two and a half years.

Councilman John Mooney requested a chart from Liston illustrating the proposed changes.

Earlier this year, the township issued notices of proposed layoffs to 90 percent of the township's employees, including those in the police department.

In an ensuing council meeting, council members and township officials spoke about the need to make sure the police department remains intact for public safety reasons.

Final layoff notices will be issued no later than Nov. 16.