Response Time
A conversation with a prominent NJ State PBA member
This month :
Cape May County Local 401 State Delegate/ President Joe Berg
The Vitals
• Grew up in Dennis Township
• Hired Sept. 28, 2008
• Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office Local
401 State Delegate and President since
January 2016
• Assigned to bail reform unit
• Member of NJ State PBA Collective
Bargaining Committee
• Instructor at Cape May County Police
Academy since 2012
• Married to Johnna with two sons, Johnny
and Zack
F irst Response
How did Cape May County Local 401 become a new Local in 2016?
We had a longtime rep from Wildwood Local 59 in our office for more than 10 years. He was
getting ready to retire, so I volunteered for the job. During that time, there was a vote to
make our own Local just to better fit the needs of a prosecutor’s office. We have a distinctly
different group of needs than a local police department. So I volunteered to handle that as
well.
Conversation pieces
What resources helped you throughout the process and what made
you take on the role of both President and State Delegate?
I called the State PBA office. I didn’t know who to talk to or what to do. The State PBA really
guided me through everything. If it wasn’t for people like (Jackson Township Local 168 State
Delegate) Frank Cipully, I would have never gotten this off of the ground. I assumed that I
would be the new President because I didn’t realize what the Delegate’s job was. But then
members I talked to throughout the state said, “It might benefit you to be both (President
and State Delegate) so you can get the most knowledge.”
What was the most challenging part of starting the new Local?
Getting the exposure, understanding what we needed to create the Local and figuring out
what the Local needed to operate. I now kind of have an unfair advantage because I’m so ex-
posed. I would like somebody else to step up and be the president and have an opportunity
to be exposed to some of the information I have been, however most are hesitant due to the
nature of the position. It’s an interesting thing to complain about, but being involved in the
Local is the best part of my job. I would rather be well respected by the guys I work with than
well liked by the guys I work for.
What was essential to the process of successfully establishing Local
401?
The biggest thing I had to make sure of was that everybody understood exactly what we
were doing. I’ve come to realize that many members don’t necessarily understand what the
union is. I had to be as transparent as possible. We probably had a meeting every couple
of weeks just to update members. We had to let the members know why we were creating
Local 401 and what the purpose of the Local is. Members needed a direct message to the fact
that we have rights, we have needs, we have purpose and we needed to continue that.
In addition to keeping Local 401 members informed, you’re also an
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NEW JERSEY COPS
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instructor at the Cape May County Police Academy. What do you like
about teaching new officers?
If the union is the No. 1 thing about my job, teaching is a close second. I’m getting fresh
attitudes and fresh faces. I’m getting people who haven’t been tainted by the job and have
no preconceived notions. I had great instruction through my police academy. But there are
some instructors who teach from a position of power or arrogance. I like to say that when you
step foot in the academy, you’re now my brother or sister.
What kind of advice do you have for those who are about to begin a
career in law enforcement?
Don’t disrespect the badge. Don’t take this job for granted. Treat people with respect until
they give you a reason not to. You have so much coming at you: here’s your gun, here’s your
badge, here’s your car, here’s your authority. Treat the authority with respect, otherwise
you’re disrespecting the entire union.
Last Response
How do you approach your position in the prosecutor’s office and what
do you like most about your job?
When I introduce myself, I don’t refer to myself as detective. I refer to myself as Joe. You have
to talk to people, not at them. I like the fact that I’m able to give back to the community that
has given me so much. While we’re not answering radio calls, when we come in, it’s typically
because there’s a problem. Whether it’s a sex assault or homicide, we’re there to help the
suspects and victims. You have to find positivity in so much darkness and that’s the best part.