Response Time
A conversation with a prominent NJ State PBA member
This month :
West Essex Local 81 State Delegate Brett Keepers
The Vitals
• Grew up in Cedar Grove
• Local 81 State Delegate since March 2017
• On the job with West Caldwell Police Department in June 2012
F irst Response
What have you made your biggest priorities since becoming the Local
81 State Delegate less than a year ago?
Just getting members involved. We’ve seen a lot of benefits to getting members to attend
events like our golf outing, the beefsteak and other events we run, as well as the Mini
Convention. It’s really any eye-opening experience when you come to these events and you
see the difference you can make, whether it’s in a charity or having the benefit of being able
to talk with those who may have the answers to issues you need more information on.
Conversation pieces
Have you always had an interest in taking on a leadership role?
From left, West Essex Local 81 State Delegate Brett Keepers, First Aid Squad
Lieutenant Jeff Sutherlin, Local 81 President Dave Courter and Captain Dave
Black presenting a donation from Local 81 to help the West Essex First Aid
Squad purchase new reflective turnout jackets.
Does that run in your family?
I always had an interest in the Local. I’ve only missed one meeting in five years. I try to stay
active. I was just kind of waiting for my time and waiting until the opportunity came up,
and it did. When Chris Andrews retired effective March, that’s when I became the full-time
delegate. I definitely have an interest in running with it as long as I can. My father was a fire chief. At first, I was kind of leaning toward being a firefighter. But, it’s a
little bit different. Firefighters get issued pajamas and a pillow, and we get issued a badge
and a gun. The dynamics are different, but in the end, you’re helping and you’re protecting
the residents and the township. It’s a very rewarding career. Community policing is very
important and it definitely starts with the PBA.
What have been some of the challenges? What has Local 81 done to make that community impact?
We have a large Local comprised of seven towns. At times, it’s challenging trying to motivate
all members when you’re not directly seeing these people every day. For me, it’s more
learning how to sit down and juggle the regular responsibilities of a law enforcement officer
on top of State Delegate. We’ve been getting very involved in fundraising and trying to be a staple in the community.
We recently held our first beefsteak in three or four years. We had more than 400 people
there and raised $20,000 for charity. We gave money to hurricane relief in Puerto Rico, Flori-
da, Texas, as well as supporting other local charities. We were able to give just over $4,000 to
a local rescue squad to outfit them with turnout gear.
What ultimately motivated you to take on the State Delegate job?
(Local 81) had a lot of older members that ran the show for a very long time and there’s been
a big void between them and the younger guys, which is why I felt I had a responsibility to
step up into the position. Although I’ve had five years on the job, there’s guys (with less time)
who don’t know what the PBA can do for them. It’s been my intent to get these guys to come
to the meetings and get involved. I’ve seen where guys who had no interest in the Local are
now showing up to events.
Have you always had the urge to be involved in public service?
It started when I was younger, volunteering with the fire department and rescue squad. I’ve
always had a strong desire to be involved in the community. Everyone in their community
looks up to their first responders, particularly law enforcement officers. I think it’s very
important to cultivate strong relationships with your community from the elected officials to
parents to school teachers. I’ve definitely noticed a tangible benefit to it.
22
NEW JERSEY COPS
■ DECEMBER 2017
Last Response
In your first year as State Delegate, who have you leaned on for assis-
tance?
I wouldn’t be able to do it without the support from the West Caldwell police chief, captain,
supervisors and the junior patrol officers. They are the ones who have allowed me to rise to
this opportunity and have given me any support I’ve needed to do my job as State Delegate.
The Essex County Conference has stepped up huge for me as well. Any time I have an issue, I
call at all hours, specifically Essex County Conference Chair Joe Savittieri, Co-Chair PJ Sando-
menico and NJSPBA Board Member and Verona Local 72 State Delegate Ed Carattini. They’ve
helped me with just about everything I’ve needed. I don’t have every answer, but I’m trying to
get the answers as quickly as possible and I’ve been able to rely on these guys for help.