Create a letter to chief of police encompassing the following information: Proposal/opportunity for the promotion of one class 2 to full time and 2 sergeants to Lieutenants will collectively better serve the people of Longport, Longport Department and its officers. The goal is for agency to stop just getting by and move forward with adequate staffing and command structure .

Like many professionals at this day of End Law Enforcement is seeing historical issues with Retention and Recruitment. Unlike many other professionals Law Enforcement has never been so scrutinize and vilified. Additionally, Law Enforcement Officers are expected to know more, work with less staffing and operate unreasonable amount of restraints from new law /mandates.

Officers personal lives, career and family lives can be destroyed by a 3 second video. They are expected and have  to constantly stay abreast of laws / mandates that change unprecedented speeds. Such laws such the Marijuana law in New Jersey could get them charged for a 3 degree crime by talking to someone under the influence of alcohol/ marijuana. Officers must train for active shooters, domestic terrorism and to ambushed in their patrol vehicle. It’s not matter if it going happen it’s a matter of WHEN as you refer to attached documentation.

That brings us to our first request is promoting Class II Kramer  to a fulltime officer and our total department size of 13,fully sworn officers (excluding chief). It beyond important (imminent) to make this transition for his well-being and the future of the agency. Once fully sworn he can attend advanced trainings like officers that help him better serve the community and himself.

Longport Police Department is fortunate enough to have SLEO II Kramer working for the department. He is college graduate, former athlete, holds a Basic Police Officer certification and only resident officer. Over the past year he has gain the respect of everyone in the department and is well liked by all. SLEO II Kramer is very eager to learn and adapts quickly to the officers he is working with. He has become an asset to our department and any department would love to have him… If he were to accept a full time position somewhere else it would be loss to our department and detrimental to to staffing .

As you will see in attached documentation having at least 13 officers (excluding chief) is absolute must in order for the agency to continue operate efficiently. It is especially important now more than ever due to current dynamic of the department with young  and limited experience officers/supervisors. In addition to their young families who required a lot leave usage.

Due to the aforementioned young/inexperienced officers/ supervisors in addition to the Chief of Police eligible to retire within the next 3 years it imperative to promote the command staff to Lieutenants.  This will restore command structure in the department help the department current dynamic and future. Each Sgt. Burgan and Rettino hold Master’s Degrees in Administration Science and are top of their class graduates for New Jersey Chief of Police Association Command and Leadership Academy. In addition to attended multiple other leadership training and variety of experience. Most importantly Sgt. Burgan and Sgt. Rettino have continually collaborated to help the agency , other officers and themselves succeed.

Please note the concept of having two Lieutenants is not new. The last time the department had a Lieutenant of Police was with Two Lieutenants in 2015. In prior years when the agency was under the command of Chief Scott Porter the agency had 14 officers (excluding Chief). This included 2 Captains 4 Sergeants and 8 officers.

Additionally until 2015 the agency had its own communications center within the agency. Ever since the service was subcontracted to EHT many duties were transferred to the officers. Especially to the firearms background investigation unit which has since increased drastically. Unfortunately, with the subcontracting of dispatch the service is barely adequate. This brings further work, liability,  strain to the Chief and his command staff in order for agency to continue operate.


In closing please note we always appreciate the town duty to remain frugal and put its residents best interest as their primary focus. We can say the promotions being requested are needed and will be of great service to the people of Longport.