First responders show up in solidarity to oppose possible Bergen County police layoffs

<p>Over 100 first responders and members of law enforcement descended on the Bergen County Government Center Wednesday evening as a show of solidarity for Bergen County law enforcement officers facing possible layoffs.</p>

News 12 Staff

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May 4, 2017, 2:57 AM

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Updated 2,813 days ago

First responders show up in solidarity to oppose possible Bergen County police layoffs

Over 100 first responders and members of law enforcement descended on the Bergen County Government Center Wednesday evening as a show of solidarity for Bergen County law enforcement officers facing possible layoffs.

Officers facing the possibility of losing their jobs gathered together, donned T-shirts, carried signs and showed solidarity with their union and their service.

“We don’t own them layoffs. We own them a job,” says a veteran who spoke at the meeting.

Members of the former Bergen County Police Department were given notice that they could face layoffs as the Bergen County Sheriff’s Department absorbs the agency.

“We may have different views on the sheriff’s decision here, but that does not change our respond for your service and all of our shared values,” Bergen County Freeholder Chairwoman Tracy Zur told the speakers.

Union head, Detective Chris Weston, says that the lager issue is losing officers at the worst possible time. He says that last week there were several bomb scares at the Bergen County Courthouse and at a judge’s home.

Zur says that budget restricts are preventing the sheriff’s department from hiring more officers. The officers in danger of being laid off say that reorganization of the department could save jobs.

The union says many officers could face lower pay and uncertainty about their future pay and benefits if they simply switch positions and become a sheriff's officers.

Zur says 26 officers are facing the real threat of losing their jobs and urged them to make the switch.