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Jerry Speziale | |
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Police Director of the Paterson Police Department | |
Assumed office July 2014 | |
Police Chief of the Hazleton Police Department | |
In office January 2016 –April 2020 | |
Police Chief of the Prichard Police Department | |
In office October 2013 –July 2014 | |
Deputy Police Superintendent and Assistant Director of Public Safety of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department | |
In office August 2010 –October 2013 | |
Sheriff of Passaic County | |
In office November 2001 –August 2010 | |
Preceded by | Edwin Englehardt |
Police Chief of the New Hope Police Department | |
In office May 2000 –September 2000 | |
Personal details | |
Born | 1959or1960(age 64–65) [1] |
Political party | Democratic |
Gerald Speziale (born 1959or1960) [1] is an American law enforcement officer and Public Safety Director of the Paterson Police Department and the Paterson Fire Department in Paterson,New Jersey. [2] A former member of the New York City Police Department,Speziale has also served as the Sheriff of Passaic County,New Jersey,as Deputy Police Superintendent - Assistant Director of Public Safety for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department, [3] and as Chief of Police for the City of Prichard,Alabama. He has worked as an undercover officer in the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA),and for the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force while in the NYPD.
Jerry Speziale resigned in 2010 and took a position with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Speziale's decision to move from Passaic County to the Port Authority mid-election was the focus of controversy,and prompted allegations that the appointment was political. Sympathizing with Speziale's family situation,because his wife was suffering from a terminal illness,many respected his right to make this move,but local and countywide Democrats were disappointed with the abruptness of his departing. [4]
In 2003,Speziale had been described as a "flamboyant figure" [5] [6] and as having a "flair for publicity." [7] [8] [9] In 1986,just a few years into his time with the New York City Police Department,Speziale was shot in the line of duty,where Speziale and his partner were ambushed and he was shot. Two other cops were shot and Speziale returned fire and killed the suspect. Speziale,later got involved in undercover drug work that took him to Colombia to help fight the powerful cartels.
Those experiences formed the basis of his published ghostwritten book:“Without a Badge:Undercover in the World’s Deadliest Criminal Organization,”describing his experiences working undercover, [6] and has been featured on the reality TV series Cops. Speziale also played a police captain and served as a "police consultant" for the 2010 film Brooklyn's Finest. [10]
Speziale was born in Paterson,New Jersey [ citation needed ] to his father,a barber,and his mother,a paralegal. [6] He grew up in Wayne,New Jersey. [6] [3]
Speziale joined New York City Police Department (NYPD) in 1983.[ citation needed ] In 1986,he was shot during a shootout with a robber who had taken hostages. [11] Speziale later worked as a detective on the narcotics squad,and befriended future NYPD Commissioner Bernard Kerik. [6] [3] [12] During the 1990s,he became an undercover agent for the DEA,and was a member of the DEA's "Group 93," which was tasked with fighting Colombian Drug Cartels. [6] [12] [13] Having reached the rank of first-grade detective,Speziale retired from the NYPD on a disability pension in 1997,citing injuries. He returned to police work at the Bergen County Sheriff's Department,and served as the Chief of Police for New Hope,Pennsylvania,for five months in 2000,before running for Sheriff of Passaic County in the November,2001 elections. [3] [14] [1]
In November 2001,Speziale was elected Sheriff of Passaic County,New Jersey. [3] Although he had campaigned for Republican candidates in 1999,Speziale ran as a Democrat,and replaced Republican Edwin Englehardt,who had served as sheriff for 27 years. [6] He was re-elected sheriff twice,in 2004 and 2007. [15]
In August 2002,federal officials criticized him for a "shameful media grab at the expense of a federal investigation that was not complete" while conducting a raid of a Paterson office that produced phony documents that were reportedly sold to several 9/11 hijackers. [16] Federal officials were upset that Speziale's detectives did not inform the FBI about the raid and Speziale publicly released the details of the Sheriff's Office investigation,and had invited reporters to accompany police on the raid. [17] Shortly after the raid,New Jersey's Attorney General ordered all local law enforcement authorities to get permission from a special liaison before seeking terrorism-related search warrants. [18] The incident reportedly led to a "deep chill" in relations between the US Attorney's office and Speziale's staff. Until the raid,the Sheriff's department and the FBI had been investigating jointly. [19] Although,Speziale has served since 1994 as a consultant,instructor and subject matter expert on multijurisdictional law enforcement investigations involving wiretaps to federal law enforcement agencies around the nation. [16]
Speziale also came into conflict with Passaic County freeholders (county legislators) and the state Civil Service Commission over the number of patronage appointments that he was allowed to make as Sheriff. The dispute centered on whether supervisors should count as sheriff's officers when calculating the number of "at-will" investigators the sheriff could hire. Initially,the state civil service commission and county freeholders accused Speziale of exceeding his budget by making an excessive number of patronage appointments,ordering him to fire eight investigators who had been hired in addition to the 20 "at-will" officers already added to the force. [3] [20] [21] In March 2011,however,the New Jersey Civil Service Commission changed its stance,ruling that supervisors should count as sheriff's officers,and that Speziale had been within his rights when he hired the eight additional officers. By that time,Speziale had already left the Sheriff's office and the number of staff had been reduced. [22]
On August 10,2010,Speziale resigned in order to accept a post as Deputy Superintendent of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey police. [5] [8] [23] [24] [25] Speziale cited family reasons as his reason for resigning and abandoning his re-election campaign. [3] According to The Record columnist Alfred Doblin,Speziale's decision to resign so suddenly,and during a campaign,was "a slap in the face to political allies and donors," and his decision to distribute the $1 million in campaign funds that Speziale had already raised to charity - rather than to other Democratic candidates - added "insult to injury." [8] [9] Republican Assemblyman Scott Rumana told reporters that he had helped to arrange Speziale's new job,in conjunction with the office of New Jersey's republican governor,Chris Christie. [26] In response,the Passaic County freeholder board's democratic majority called for a criminal investigation,asserting that Speziale had been offered the job in order to entice him out of the race for Sheriff. [24] [26] [27] Several years later,The Record reported that "nothing ever came" of the state investigation. [28] Controversy over the appointment resurfaced in June 2015,however,when former Port Authority official David Wildstein - a key figure in the Fort Lee lane closure scandal - alleged in a sworn statement that Christie had arranged for the Port Authority to hire Speziale in order to take both him and his campaign funds out of the race. [23] [24] [29] [30]
In 2019,a grass roots support group of Jerry Speziale collected 4000 signatures in a few days for him to run for Passaic County Sheriff,in the June 2019 Democratic primary election,but Speziale withdrew after speaking with New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and State Democratic Chairman John Currie. Both urged him not to run and divide the party. They asked Speziale to be patient and wait his turn. Speziale agreed,stating “The Democratic Party is very important to me and that the party does not need a divisive primary battle." [31] [32]
This section may contain information not important or relevant to the article's subject.(August 2022) |
In 2010,Speziale was appointed to the role of Deputy Police Superintendent of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department. [1]
In May 2014,Speziale sued the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey in federal court,alleging that the Port Authority had retaliated against him after he uncovered wasteful spending by the authority. In the suit,Speziale claimed that the Port Authority had confiscated his work vehicle,denied him security credentials for Port Authority facilities,denied him medical leave benefits,and subjected him to "daily harassment,intimidation,and demeaning conduct" after he reported misspending to his superiors and that Superintendent Michael Fedorko used police emergency lights going through a red light and being issued an automated red light ticket in Newark,NJ,which was allegedly illegally dismissed. [33] [34] [35] [36] The case was put on hold in January 2016,because it involves witnesses in the criminal case related to the Fort Lee lane closure scandal and has been reopened in January 2018. [37] [35] [34]
Speziale's civil complaint reported similar conduct and in April 2018,the Port Authority Inspector General's Office began investigating claims about special treatment Radio Host Rush Limbaugh said he received from Port Authority Police Superintendent Michael Fedorko on April 12,2018,by receiving a police escort,lights and siren from Newark Liberty Airport to downtown Manhattan. Port Authority protocols prohibit providing a police escort for a celebrity. [38] On May 7,2018,Michael Fedorko's police escort of Rush Limbaugh from Newark Airport to Manhattan stirred controversy. Fedorko abruptly announced his retirement,less than a week after news reported investigators were looking into a recent "lights and sirens" escort provided for Rush Limbaugh. The Port Authority's ethics policy states it's a conflict of interest for a Port Authority employee to use his or her position to achieve or appear to achieve personal financial gain or other advantage. The agency's Inspector General had opened an investigation into the escort Fedorko gave the conservative radio show host from Newark Liberty International Airport to Manhattan,where he was a last-minute speaker at a charity dinner. [39]
After seeking a position as police chief in Port St. Lucie,Florida,Miami,and Cincinnati, [28] Speziale accepted a post as the police chief of Prichard,Alabama,in October,2013. [28] According to the Bergen Record,Speziale continued to exhibit a "flair for publicity" as police chief in Prichard. The reality TV show Cops,which had had a relationship with Speziale in Passaic County,filmed a segment in Prichard shortly after Speziale's arrival. [7] [40] Local media reported that Speziale was a "force on the streets" in Prichard,and was known for participating in raids and investigations alongside officers. [41]
Speziale resigned as chief of the Prichard police after nine months in the post,citing his desire to return to New Jersey to be with his children after the recent death of his wife. His departure surprised Prichard officials. [7] [41] [42] [43]
In July 2014,Paterson,New Jersey Mayor Jose Torres appointed Speziale as Paterson's new police director as one of his first acts upon assuming office. [42] [44] The number of reported crimes in Paterson reached a 25-year-low in 2016,according to data reported by the city. Overall reported crime fell by about 12 percent from 2015 to 2016. The drop is the second annual decrease for the city,after 5,060 crimes were reported in 2016. Mayor Joey Torres said he was encouraged by the statistics and said he was confident Police Director Jerry Speziale would continue to reduce crime. Speziale credited the work of city police officers. [45]
In January 2019,Paterson saw a dramatic 50 percent reduction in the number of homicides in 2018,numbers officials are hailing as evidence that the city is becoming a safer place. [46] The city's 12 homicides last year was lower than any other time since 2004,according to the Uniform Crime Statistics report compiled by the New Jersey State Police.[ citation needed ]
In January 2016,Hazleton,Pennsylvania Mayor Jeff Cusat appointed Speziale as Hazleton City's Interim Police Chief. [47]
Months later,the Hazleton Headlines reported that Speziale became Hazleton City's full-time police chief sometime between late January and early February of that same year. [48]
Crime in Hazleton decreased significantly in 2016. Year-end numbers show a 26 percent decrease in crime reported by the police department in November held steady through the final weeks of December. Police officers and the community working together,along with technology contributed to the crime decline,which Hazleton Police Chief Jerry Speziale said is at a 10-year low for the department in the major crime categories. Hazleton,Pennsylvania Police credit community,technology with 26 percent drop in crime. [49]
In April 2020,Speziale took a leave of absence from his role at the Hazleton Police Department,after Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh had told him to give up the Hazleton job the year prior. [50]
In 2003,Jerry Speziale released a book which he co-authored with journalist Mark Seal,titled Without A Badge:Undercover in the World's Deadliest Criminal Organization,about his experiences working undercover in Colombia. [6]
In 2009,Speziale played the role of Captain Sidney Geraci in the crime film Brooklyn's Finest ,directed by Antoine Fuqua. [51] Speziale also received a credit as the film's "Police Consultant." [52]
In 2014,Speziale was featured on the TV show Cops ,while at the Prichard Police Department. [40]
In 2019,Paterson's fire department began being featured on Live Rescue ,an A&E show following fire departments and EMT squads as they respond to calls. [53]
In 2022,Paterson's police department began being featured on On Patrol:Live ,airing on Reelz. [54] Speziale himself has appeared on the show,among officers of the Paterson Police Department. [55] [56]
Passaic County is a county in the U.S. state of New Jersey that is part of the New York metropolitan area. As of the 2020 United States census,the county was the state's eighth-most-populous county,with a population of 524,118,its highest decennial count ever and an increase of 22,892 (+4.6%) from the 2010 census count of 501,226,which in turn reflected an increase of 12,177 (+2.5%) from the 489,049 counted in the 2000 census.
Essex County is located in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of New Jersey,and is one of the centrally located counties in the New York metropolitan area. As of the 2020 census,the county was the state's second-most populous county,with a population of 863,728,its highest decennial count since the 1970 census and an increase of 79,759 (+10.2%) from the 2010 census count of 783,969. The county is part of the North Jersey region of the state.
Clifton is a city in Passaic County,in the U.S. state of New Jersey. Criss-crossed by several major highways,the city is a regional commercial hub for North Jersey and is a bedroom suburb of New York City in the New York Metropolitan Area. As of the 2020 United States Census,the city retained its position as the state's 11th-most-populous municipality,just behind tenth-ranked Trenton,and well ahead of Cherry Hill in twelfth place,with a population of 90,296,reflecting an overall increase of 6,160 (+7.3%) from the 2010 census count of 84,136,which in turn reflected an overall increase of 5,464 (+6.9%) from the 78,672 counted in the 2000 census. The Population Estimates Program calculated a population of 88,461 for 2023,making Clifton the 394th-most populous municipality in the nation.
Hawthorne is a borough in Passaic County,in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census,the borough's population was 19,637,an increase of 846 (+4.5%) from the 2010 census count of 18,791,which in turn reflected an increase of 573 (+3.1%) from the 18,218 counted in the 2000 census.
North Haledon is a borough in Passaic County,in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census,the borough's population was 8,927,an increase of 510 (+6.1%) from the 2010 census count of 8,417,which in turn reflected an increase of 497 (+6.3%) from the 7,920 counted in the 2000 census.
Passaic is a city in Passaic County,in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census,the city was the state's 16th-most-populous municipality,with a population of 70,537,falling behind Bayonne,an increase of 756 (+1.1%) from the 2010 census count of 69,781,which in turn reflected an increase of 1,920 residents (+2.8%) from the 2000 census population of 67,861. The Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program calculated a population of 68,903 for 2023,making it the 552nd-most populous municipality in the nation. Among cities with more than 50,000 people,Passaic was the fifth-most densely populated municipality in the United States,with more than 22,000 people per square mile.
Paterson is the largest city in and the county seat of Passaic County,in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census,Paterson was the state's third-most-populous municipality,with a population of 159,732. an increase of 13,533 (+9.3%) from the 2010 census count of 146,199,which in turn reflected a decline of 3,023 (-2.0%) from the 149,222 counted in the 2000 census. The Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program calculated a population of 156,452 for 2023,making it the 168th-most populous municipality in the nation.
Totowa is a borough in Passaic County,in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census,the borough's population was 11,065,an increase of 261 (+2.4%) from the 2010 census count of 10,804,which in turn reflected an increase of 912 (+9.2%) from the 9,892 counted in the 2000 census.
Woodland Park is a borough in Passaic County,in the U.S. state of New Jersey. At the 2020 United States census,the population was 13,484.
Downtown Paterson is the main commercial district of Paterson,Passaic County,in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The area is the oldest part of the city,along the banks of the Passaic River and its Great Falls. It is roughly bounded by Interstate 80,Garret Mountain Reservation,Route 19,Oliver Street,and Spruce Street on the south;the Passaic River,West Broadway,Cliff Street,North 3rd Street,Haledon Avenue,and the borough of Prospect Park on the west;and the Passaic River also to the north.
Hawthorne is an active commuter railroad station operated by New Jersey Transit in the borough of Hawthorne,Passaic County,New Jersey,United States. It is the northernmost station in Passaic County along New Jersey Transit's Main Line. Trains coming through Hawthorne service Waldwick,Suffern and Port Jervis to the north and Hoboken Terminal to the south,where connections are available to New York City via Port Authority Trans-Hudson and ferries. The station,accessible only by Washington Place in Hawthorne,contains only two low-level platforms connected by a grade crossing. As a result,the station is not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
The Broadway Bus Terminal is a major local and regional bus terminal in Paterson,New Jersey operated by New Jersey Transit. It is located on Broadway between Memorial Drive and West Broadway in Downtown Paterson,putting it near Passaic County Community College and a few blocks from Paterson City Hall and the Great Falls Historic District,including the Great Falls.
The Newark Branch was a branch of the Erie Railroad in New Jersey,United States,running between Jersey City and Paterson and passing through the Broadway Section in North Newark,the origin of its name. Inaugurated in the 1870s,the line was last used for passenger service on September 30,1966,but continues to be used for freight service on a portion of its length.
Jose "Joey" Torres is an American politician who served as Mayor of Paterson,the third-largest city in New Jersey. Torres served two terms as mayor between 2002 and 2010 and had previously served five terms as a city council member. He was again elected May 13 and was sworn in July 1,2014. He pled guilty to corruption charges on September 22,2017,and was forced to step down from his mayoral position. Torres was succeeded by Ruby Cotton,the president of the city council,and was replaced by retired city clerk Jane Williams-Warren on October 10,2017.
Paterson STEAM High School is a four-year public high school in Paterson in Passaic County,in the U.S. state of New Jersey,operated as part of the Paterson Public Schools. It is one of the academy programs serving students in ninth through twelfth grades offered by the school district.
Hackensack was a railroad station in Hackensack,New Jersey on the New York,Susquehanna and Western Railway Main Line,which provided passenger service between the 1870s and 1960s. The station at Main and Mercer Streets opened in 1872;it was replaced with one at River Street in 1950. Public Service trolley lines served both stations.
Frank Davenport was an American Republican Party politician who served as the Sheriff of Passaic County,New Jersey and served one term in the New Jersey Senate.
The Paterson Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency for the city of Paterson,New Jersey. It has about 400 sworn law enforcement officers and 125 support staff. As of March 2023,it is under the control of the Attorney General of New Jersey in response to a series of incidents of misconduct and alleged misconduct,including three controversial shootings.
Andre Sayegh is an American politician who has served as the Mayor of Paterson,the third-most populous city in New Jersey,since July 2018. Prior to being elected as Mayor,Sayegh served on the Paterson City Council from 2008 until 2018.