Proposed Westwood Police Promotion Rules Include Education Requirement

Westwood Police officers seeking promotions to the ranks of lieutenant, captain, deputy chief and chief will still need a bachelor's degree in order to qualify, under an ordinance introduced by the Westwood Council this week.

Candidates for promotion to sergeant would not need a degree, but college credits would count equally compared to experience at a rate of 32 credits to three years of experience. Sergeants act as shift supervisors but are "not part of the command structure," according to Councilman Peter Grefrath.

If the ordinance is approved, officers hired before 2002 who don't have a degree can still be eligible for a promotion until 2015 if they are pursuing a bachelor's at the time the promotion opportunity comes up.

The council is expected to make a final vote on the ordinance during their October 29 meeting. The motion to introduce the ordinance this week passed 4-2.

The degree requirement was added for promotions more than 10 years ago in an effort to create a more specific path for officers seeking higher positions, Grefrath previously said.

The police committee brought the idea of removing the requirement to the rest of the council last year, but the idea was shot down 3-2. A few months later, officials began discussing it again, as the retirements of Capt. Frank Durante and Sgt. Robert Held approached. There have not been any promotions to replace them yet.

The council meets at 8 p.m. October 29 in the borough municipal building. Residents will have an opportunity to comment before the vote.