Response Time
A conversation with a prominent NJ State PBA member
This month
Teaneck Local 215 State Delegate Charlie Antinori The Vitals
• Grew up in Teaneck
• Hired in 2011
• State Delegate since September 2016
First Response
Conversation pieces
28 NEW JERSEY COPS ■ MAY 2018
• General Investigative Detective
• Married to Sara since Dec. 31, 2017
What was it like to become State Delegate after longtime Teaneck Local 215 State Delegate Andy Haase retired?
It was an honor. Andy had been able to retire for quite some time. He was doing a great job. It was a surprise when he announced that he was going to retire, and he nominated me to be State Delegate. You start a new job and you look at some of those more experienced guys like Andy. And you just have to listen. You get to know them and listen to what they have to say. I spent time getting to know Andy and went to the PBA meetings. If something needed to get done, I tried to be there to dedicate my time and energy.
When did you start to get involved with the PBA?
Right away. To me it’ s one of the most important things anyone can do because it’ s protection for yourself to contribute to a strong PBA, and, it’ s protection to your brother and sister officers. It’ s the only way to really dive into the job.
What did Andy do to help you make the transition to State Delegate?
The first thing that he did that was to take me down to the State PBA Office to spend an afternoon. I got to meet most of the staff that works in the office that day. He told me,“ Make sure you take care of them.” And I really have found that anything I need, I can just call the office and that just makes getting things done so much easier. They’ re running a tight ship in Woodbridge.
What’ s been the biggest challenge of leading a large Local like Teaneck?
I learned that as the State Delegate, you are trusted by the membership with handling sensitive information, administering the Legal Protection Plan and sitting in on internal affairs matters. You have to make sure that the paperwork is done and that you stay on top of everything.
What adjustment have you had to make on the job to juggle the responsibilities of being State Delegate?
It just basically means that if I’ m done with my shift at 3 p. m., I’ m not leaving at 3 p. m. I’ ve got to put on my PBA hat and make sure that everything we need to do gets done and meet with the executive board to make sure that we’ re all on the same page. I find myself in different parts of the state on my spare time. You have to get out and be a part of the PBA. For my wife, there’ s an understanding that my phone is never off. Unfortunately, you’ re always prepared for that call that somebody might need the PBA’ s help. She knows that if something happens, we need to get on scene.
Charlie Antinori( right) with Teaneck Local 215 member, Detective Steve Ramirez
You’ ve mentioned that one of the hardest parts of the job can be to motivate members to get involved with the PBA. How do you reach your members?
Everyone needs to come out and invest their time in the PBA. As a State Delegate, you have to get them out. The Bergen County Conference Chairman Charlie Schwartz says that sending a text message or an email does not work. You need to call people directly and tell them that you need them.
What has your Local done to get involved with the community?
You need to step up whenever you see an opportunity to help. There was a fire in Teaneck recently and there was a family who got burnt out of their house. They had a couple of young kids who just needed something to go to school the next day: a couple of new shoes, socks, underwear and T-shirts. We did a clothing drive and people came from all over the place. They were writing checks, giving money, it was unbelievable. Also, during the holidays, we ran a toy drive and had Santa bring a family that lost its dad that year some gifts. Doing that kind of service can make anyone a proud PBA member.
Last Response
How has being State Delegate enhanced your experience as a PBA member?
Just to see all of the intelligence that goes into the PBA from legal minds to financial minds to political minds. It’ s one thing to be a good cop, and that’ s hard enough. But all the PBA does is astonishing. I’ m really glad that I’ ve gotten to see that. There’ s just an infinite amount of resources between the Collective Bargaining Seminar, the Legal Protection Plan and the State Health Benefits Plan. Everyone is so accessible and friendly. To be a cop is an honor, and to represent the women and men that I work with is an even greater honor. It’ s what keeps me motivated to do a good job.