A tale of two uniforms
Whether in Class A attire, patrol gear or his PBA attire, Charlie Schwartz is dressed
for success and well-suited to represent the union as a PFRS Trustee
n BY MITCHELL KRUGEL
Charlie Schwartz starts this day catching a domestic call, a
rather heated one. In the small-but-mighty Saddle River depart-
ment, such a call can consume the entire shift. Still, when it’s
done, there is a full tour of patrol ahead.
After eight hours, Charlie Schwartz will slip into a nearby
locker room, bathroom or even phone booth and change from
his beat cop togs into his other uniform – a black, blue or pin-
stripe suit with the omnipresent NJ State PBA shield on the la-
pel. Chairing a Bergen County Conference meeting, a Bergen
County Political Assistance Committee meeting, a contract ne-
gotiations committee meeting or fulfilling a request to speak to
another county conference might fill up the next eight hours.
The next morning, he will change into his Class A uniform to
be part of the PBA force attending the funeral for NYPD Officer
Miosotis Familia, who was assassinated in cold blood the week
before. After another tour in patrol, he will don his most import-
ant uniform as dad to Nicole, Samantha and Charlie Jr., because
he never misses a softball game, a wrestling match or one of his
kids many other activities.
“Whether he’s in uniform or wearing a suit for the PBA, this
guy is so dedicated,” appraises Joe Biamonte, who preceded
Schwartz as Bergen County Conference Chair and has known
him since they were at Wood-Ridge High School together in the
1990s. “He’s always involved. If he’s not involved, he doesn’t feel
like he’s fulfilling the expectations.”
Now, Charlie Schwartz, the PBA’s version of the Energizer
Bunny, is running for PFRS Trustee to fill the seat that Atlantic
CONTINUED ON PAGE 28
Charlie Schwarz (left) and Joe Biamonte give the members of the Bergen
County Political Assistance Committee their marching orders as they pre-
pare to get out the vote in the 2015 state legislature election.
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■ JULY 2017 27