Still on the job
Johnson brings a law enforcement
voice to the legislature
n BY MITCHELL KRUGEL
Like with every New Jersey State Legislator, a conversation with
Assemblyman Gordon Johnson begins with asking for an assessment of the pension situation. Johnson, from Englewood and
Bergen County’s 37th District, takes the question in stride, then
segues into a somewhat unexpected response.
“I think it’s also important as a legislator that I work to get law
enforcement officers the resources they need to do their duties and
keep them safe to go home at the end of their shifts,” he answers.
“Like this commuLEGISLATIVE SPOTLIGHT: nication system
I’m hearing about
Assemblyman that can give offiGordon M. Johnson cers real-time
information right
on the spot when
they make a motor vehicle stop: These are resources they need to
get home. This is as important as any issue.”
If he sounds like a law enforcement officer as much as a concerted cop advocate, well, Johnson doesn’t talk the talk. He’s walked the
beat, spending 27 years on the job as an Englewood Police Department officer and Local 216 member, three years as a Bergen County
Undersheriff and another year as Bergen County Sheriff.
Johnson takes pride in being a law enforcement officer representing in Trenton rather than just representing law enforcement
in the legislature. Perhaps it’s a subtle distinction, but an important
one that allows him not just advocate for cops but for all issues that
serve the public.
Gordon M. Johnson
•
Democrat-37th District
•
General Assembly Deputy Speaker
Legislative Service
•
General Assembly
2002-present
•
Deputy Speaker
2014-present
•
Majority Conference Leader 2012-13
•
Deputy Conference
Leader 2010-11
Committee Service
•
Commerce and Economic Development, Chair
•
Judiciary, Vice-Chair
•
Budget
42
NEW JERSEY COPS
n
APRIL 2015
He takes pride in