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2018 NJSPBA
Mini-Convention
Governor makes up for snow day by making video appearance
Based on the past two years and all the work from the PBA
supporting Phil Murphy, only a natural disaster would have pre-
vented the newly elected New Jersey governor from keeping his
appointment to speak at the Mini Convention on March 7. Or a
Nor’easter.
The megastorm that dumped a couple of feet of snow on parts
of New Jersey forced Governor Murphy to declare a state of emer-
gency and cancel his appointed round with the PBA. Given his
burgeoning relationship with law enforcement, however, Mur-
phy found a way to be in two places at once.
He recorded a video that was shown during the time on the
agenda slotted for the governor to speak. Murphy began the
five-minute communiqué by confirming, “We have declared a
state of emergency, and I need to be at the point of attack to help
get the state back on its feet.”
Ultimately, the governor made a request to PBA members.
“This is one of my favorite groups,” he stated. “I hope I can get
a rain check.”
Ostensibly, that would be a snow check. And PBA President Pat
Colligan announced that Murphy would be coming to a future
state meeting.
Additionally, the governor filming a video exclusively for
PBA members seemed to make a statement that the union has
achieved its direct line of communication – the proverbial seat at
the table – with the state’s top executive.
“It was their suggestion to do a video,” Executive Vice President
Marc Kovar submitted. “He didn’t have to take a video, but I think
he wanted to show how we have that relationship already.”
The video reiterated the message that Murphy continues to
convey about the foundation of the partnership between the
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Supporting acts from the top cop
Attorney General Gurbir Grewal apparently came to the Mini
Convention to further endear himself to New Jersey law enforce-
ment. Following his remarks, the former Bergen County prose-
cutor hung out to have a cup of coffee with PBA members. He
began his speech by joking about opening an investigation into
the PBA Hockey Team’s game the day before against Philly police,
after the game started with some wayward fisticuffs.
And Grewal wanted to assure members that he feels their pain.
He confirmed that he knows officers continue to do more with
less, when more is being asked of them. He praised how they are
filling the roles of mental health, substance abuse and marriage
counselors; big sisters and big brothers; crisis intervention nego-
tiators; and making sure students and teachers feel safe.
“And you’re doing all these things against a backdrop where
your every move is being second-guessed,” Grewal continued.
“As the state’s chief law enforcement officer, it is my primary re-
sponsibility to support your ability to execute your mission safely and effectively.”
To do so, the attorney gener-
al announced some actions his
office has been taking, includ-
ing:
• Collaboration among law
enforcement agencies
across the state.
• Increased collaboration
with federal partners.
PBA Executive Vice President Marc
• Leveraging resources to
Kovar thanks Attorney General Gur-
take down violent gangs.
bir Grewal for speaking to mem-
• Working with stakeholders bers at the Mini Convention.
to deal with the opioid
epidemic.
• Addressing stories about having to lock up the same of-
Chris Carpenito, U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey,
came to the Mini Convention with a strong message for mem-
bers from the federal government.
In confronting the erosion of respect for law enforcement,
Carpenito, who took office with the new administration in the
White House, went to Washington, D.C., to speak with President
Trump and Attorney General Jeff Sessions about how he could
support the “Back the Blue” executive order signed a year ago. To
be smart on crime and execute that order, Carpenito is directing
his office to the methods used when he served five years as an
AUSA.
“We’re back in business,” Carpenito reported. “We’re not just
chasing the white-collar crime. We’re getting back into the drug
and gun cases. We’re getting out on the street, working with state
and local law enforcement and making cases again.”
As part this way of doing business, Carpenito added that the U.S. attorney’s office located in Newark
has reinstated its violent crimes unit
focused on burglaries, bank robberies,
violent criminals and what he calls “the
bread-and-butter stuff that really af-
fects New Jersey citizens.” He has also
instituted the first unit in the country
solely dedicated to opioid issues, as
well as starting a cybercrime unit and
bringing back “Project Safe Neighbor-
hoods” to make the streets safer.
The U.S. attorney’s agenda also includes helping local agen-
cies with bail reform to keep dangerous criminals locked up.
And he wants to work with local police departments to develop
stronger task forces.
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Bold statements from the U.S. attorney
CONTINUED ON PAGE 54
www.njcopsmagazine.com
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