Police receive new contract
BY DAVE BENJAMIN
Staff Writer

JACKSON - The Township Council has approved a new three-year contract with the membership of Jackson Police Benevolence Association No. 168.

"The membership was happy with it," said Police Officer Joe Oleksy, the PBA president. "We came to an amicable agreement on both sides there. There was some give and take. We worked with the township and the township worked with us."

Oleksy said PBA members have already given their approval, since the council gave the contract a thumbs up.

"We're just waiting to get the package back from the township," he said.

The latest contract covers rates of pay, hours of work and other conditions of employment in Jackson.

The salary range for police officers will be a minimum of $37,535 and a maximum of $90,225.

Sergeants will be paid a minimum of $101,052 and up to a maximum of $102,855.

Also approved was a contract for superior officers of Local 168A. The new superior officers contract calls for salary ranges of a minimum of $113,178 and up to $117,255 for police lieutenants, and for police captains there is a minimum salary of $126,759 and a maximum salary of $133,671.

"In this form of government the executive branch is charged with negotiating contracts subject to the approval of the Township Council," Business Administrator William Santos said. "I think the new contract is fair to both parties."

Santos said he looked at what surrounding municipalities provide and what awards are given. He said the police have the right to go to binding arbitration.

"I think Jackson is right where we should be," he said. "I think we have a middle ground for both sides and it's a fair contract."

At the present time there are three captains, four lieutenants and a total of 77 sergeants and police officers in the Jackson Police Department.

In other police news, Jackson has received an additional $4,000 from the New Jersey Division of Highway Safety, Department of Law and Public Safety, for the 2007 seat belt campaign Click It or Ticket.

"The Click It or Ticket mobilization from May 21 to June 3 is a time to remind the members of the public that safety belts are the most effective device they can use to reduce the risk of injury in a crash," Jackson police Capt. David Newman said. "There is also the goal to have the motoring public willingly buckle-up for their own safety."

Additionally, the New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety, Division of Highway Safety, has provided an additional $1,656 for the 2007 Child Passenger Safety Education Grant and an additional $800 for the 2007 Child Passenger Safety Education matching grant portion.

"The township also offers a free child safety seat inspection," Newman said. "Our trained child safety technicians will install and/or inspect child safety seats for residents. All people have to do is contact the Traffic Safety Bureau at (732) 928-3017 and set up an appointment. They'll be glad to do it."