Englewood Police Officer Promoted to Deputy Chief

ENGLEWOOD -- Longtime Police Lt. Lawrence Suffern has been promoted to deputy chief of the department.

Suffern, a 21-year-veteran, was sworn in by Chief Arthur O’Keefe at a public meeting Monday night.

“It’s a wonderful thing being born and raised here in this town and being able to make a positive impression on the community as a whole,” Suffern said Tuesday.

Mayor Michael Wildes said Suffern’s promotion was overdue and well-deserved.

“Nobody deserves this better than you,” Wildes told Suffern, who was cheered on by his colleagues and family members.

O’Keefe said Suffern’s promotion was well-received within the department. O’Keefe said he did not immediately know the salary Suffern would receive due to an arbitration decision last year.

“I am delighted that the governing body of this city continues to recognize competent professionals who will ensure that the residents of this city continue to receive the level of excellent law enforcement services that they have come to expect,” O’Keefe said.

The city continues to be involved in a disciplinary hearing against Capt. Steven Sabo, a police veteran who was suspended with pay in June after an internal investigation resulted in disciplinary charges against him. Sabo’s attorneys argue that the internal investigation was launched after he filed an intent to sue notice against the city for denying him a promotion to deputy chief.

City officials declined comment on the hearing and intent to sue notice, calling them personnel issues.

Reproduced from The Record
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
by Michael J. Wildes, Mayor, City of Englewood
2-10 N. Van Brunt Street
Englewood, NJ 07631
201.871.6666

Paid for by Friends of Michael J. Wildes For Mayor, Amy Wildes, Treasurer

250 Allison Court, Englewood, NJ 07631