Hail To The (New) Chief
Mendham Borough to appoint Sergeant Pasquale Libertino to top cop post.
Mendham Borough, there is a new Sherriff in town.
Well, not really, but it makes a fun opening sentence.
After an exhaustive search, the Mendham Borough Council is set to install veteran Sgt. Pasquale Libertino as their new chief once a few of the details, including a physical and psychological exam, are completed.
Libertino is a unique individual. Spoken highly of by his peers in surrounding departments, he is not cut from the same cloth as many law enforcement officers. The man who would be chief is well aware of his different mindset, and credits his life experience for giving him a way to view the world that many police officers don’t have.
“I was born in Italy and speak fluent Italian,” Sgt. Libertino, an Independence resident, said. “And I grew up in Patterson and I saw a lot as a kid watching the cops interact with the community.”
Libertino said that officers in his time used their discretionary powers more. If kids were caught doing something, a lot of the time they were driven home and left with their parents to deal with. Or they were brought to the precinct and had to wash cars, Libertino said.
“Not in the case of a major crime. But if they were throwing rocks at cars or some other form of mischief,” Libertino said.
One particular night, when he was a teenager hanging out at the Hawthorne Library stuck with him when he and his friends were rousted by cops for loitering.
“I will never forget that. The way the treated us. The way they spoke to us,” Libertino said.
That night at the library was a touchstone moment for Libertino, as was a motocycle accident he had back in 2009 that nearly cost him his life.
“That experience was incredible. The outpouring of support as I was recovering,” Libertino said. “The letters and the cards from people who didn’t even know me.”
The totality of these experiences has left Libertino with a very clear perspective.
“There are many things I want to start implementing immediately when it comes to the concept of community policing,” said Libertino who spoke for over three hours with the hiring committee that included Mendham Borough Mayor Neil Henry, councilman Brad Badal, resident David Murphy and retired Andover Police Chief Phillip Coleman.
While a variety of topics were covered, including budgeting and situational scenarios, Libertino stressed his vision for how things in the department would change under his watch.
“We look at the shield on a police cruiser and we see ‘protect and serve’. Well, we all know about protect. But what does it mean to serve,” Libertino said. “We need to give back to the community. We need to volunteer some of our time and I am going to lead by example.”
Controlling costs is in the front of Libertino’s mind. Acknowledging that times have changed and that people are looking for more for their dollar. And that includes police. But the veteran officer is also quick to point out his philosophy will extend out from behind bookkeeping behind a desk.
“Community policing is more than just putting on a hat and riding around. It is about talking with people at their houses. Its about sitting down with them for a slice of pizza in the local pizzeria. It is about being an actual member of the community,” Libertino said. “I want an open department. I want the community to feel welcome when they come in and I want them to know where our money goes and how it is being used to serve them. I am going to work weekends and holidays. I am not going to be a 9-5 chief. I am going to lead by example.”
Another philosophy Libertino believes in is introspection before action.
“If you see a car double parked, don’t just go right to the ticket. Find out if there is an emergency. Maybe they need assistance,” Libertino said. “Don’t just write tickets. Find out what I going on.”
Libertino credits his personal struggles for informing his beliefs.
“Accidents happen. I’m human. I make mistakes. And I think its important that you try to put yourself in someone’s shoes before passing judgment,” Libertino said.”Look at the situation and try to treat others the way you would want to be treated.”
If all goes according to plan, Libertino will celebrate his 25th anniversary with Mendham Borough on July 1 and be sworn in as Chief on July 2 in front of his family, friends and coworkers.
The perfect way to celebrate a quarter century in Mendham.
“We are so fortunate we work in the excellent community that we do,” Libertino said.
Mia Smith
7:20 pm on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
WOW...You can get arrested and still become the Chief of Police. Way to go Mayor and Council. What a great choice you made!!! So happy to see what my tax dollars are going too.
New Jersey officer arrested on weapons charge
ROGERSVILLE-A New Jersey police officer arrested last week on a weapons charge after patrons at J.B.'s Bar and Grill reportedly wrestled him to the ground and took a pistol from him has been allowed to return home after local authorities opted not to prosecute the case.
Pasquale G. Libertino, 42, Hopatcong, NJ, a Sergeant with the Mendham Borough (NJ) Police Department, was charged Thursday with possession of a firearm where alcohol is served.
"He didn't pull the gun on anybody or point it directly at anybody but he was wearing it where everybody could see it. He had been in an argument and apparently he was trying to do a little intimidation by letting everyone know he had the gun, but it kind of backfired on him," Rogersville Police Chief Doug Nelson said.
Cut and paste to read the full article
http://therogersvillereview.com/story/7544
Russ Crespolini
8:21 pm on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Mia, just as an FYI, the Mayor and Council were aware of Libertino's arrest. And in my interview with him, he did mention it as one of the formative experiences that made him a better police officer because people make mistakes. Since the arrest had no bearing on his record with the Mendham Borough PD, I didn't feel it was an important piece of the narrative. I am not trying to change your opinion, I just don't want you to get an impression from the article that this was overlooked. Thanks so much for commenting.
Oldtimer
9:28 pm on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
"local authorities opted not to prosecute the case."
Now maybe if they had an obvious issue with him like Mia does, maybe they would have.
Oldtimer
9:30 pm on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
As an added point, there is no record of a taxpayer by the name of Mia Smith in Mendham Borough as recorded by the Morris County Clerks Office.
Russ Crespolini
2:35 am on Thursday, May 3, 2012
Well, to be fair...I doubt there is a taxpayer named "Oldtimer" either...hahahahahaha...
I understand your point, but people are allowed to post their thoughts anonymously here.
John Q. Public
12:50 pm on Thursday, May 3, 2012
Hail to the chief? You owe us: your readers an apology!
Really? That is the best title you could come up with. A title, a phrase, a moniker of respect?
I understand each person, each position, no matter who they are, what they have accomplished disserves respect…if it is earned. So you have taken the theme, the anthem of the POTUS.? You used the theme to THE PRESIDENT of THE UNITED STATES of AMERICA a symbol which signifies the highest elected office in this great land, to signify… Sgt. Pasquale Libertino.?
I find offense to you, your description of the events and to you calling yourself a journalist! Please do understand, you are a writer, you are not a journalist. A writer writes the story to be told. A journalist writes and account of an act. A journalist journals the events, and gives and accurate depiction to the public and allows them to decide there own opinions. A writer could write a fact-based story…however, it is still fiction!
You have written us a story! You have manipulated and omitted key elements which make for a great story but a poor, poor account of the truth!
We as an audience deserve better! We do not forgive you nor give you power to decide what goes into or what should be omitted for your journal. If you have decided, which you have admitted openly on this forum, to leave out the factual history of Sgt. Libertino, then you have written us a tall tale… You have written us an opinion paper.
Continued...
John Q. Public
12:52 pm on Thursday, May 3, 2012
Normally I would expect more from someone who refers to themselves as a journalist. Then I read your bio. You do not believe in communities? You wrote your thesis on the Indiana Jones Trilogy and you enjoy day-time soap operas. And again, you have decided to leave out crucial parts of your story!
For argument sake, for the rest of this “note to the writer” and moving forward for the rest of your career, you are a writer.
With that being said, here are some other titles you could have used!
Mendham’s council chooses best fit for them, not what’s best for the town!
Why would you use this title? Well, the “Sarge” is often seen in town having coffee socially with the council members. He even goes as far as to drive them around town during times of inclimate weather? Is this police policy? What about the people of Mendham during this time? I hope there were no accidents that could have been avoided while the council was taken care of!
Do you think he is the correct person for the job or is he the correct person to do what the council wants him to do?
…OR…
If you were writing this story for the National Enquire or TMZ you could headline it with “Super Sargent Puts Down Bike after allegedly drinking, almost dies and survives to become chief!
What I am trying to get through to you is this. You have praised a man with a “colorful” background, who was chosen by a council to do their work.
So, is “Hail to the (new) Chief is a good title?
Russ Crespolini
5:10 pm on Thursday, May 3, 2012
Hello John,
I am going to refer to you as John, because that is the fictional name you chose to use here on the site. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment. I am going to try to address your points one on one.
Your first point as to the title of the article. Your issue, as you expounded upon it seems to stem from the fact that you felt the title is too respectful because it references the President. While I admire your patriotism and respect your point of view, we are going to have to agree to disagree on that. Your proposed title, “Mendham’s council chooses best fit for them, not what’s best for the town” is too long to fit in our CMS and actually makes an accusation that assumes facts.
Russ Crespolini
5:10 pm on Thursday, May 3, 2012
While that might be your opinion of the situation, and you may have lack of confidence in the decision, it wouldn’t make a good headline.
You make an interesting point about the out of state arrest. Since no charges were filed and it had no bearing on his record in Mendham Borough, so to me, it felt like mudslinging. I have written many stories about officials and never included their out of state speeding tickets, or other infractions that didn’t connect to their current work. We do ask, as we believe here that news is a conversation, that our readers point out if they feel we crossed a line. You think that I did, and maybe you are right. I still don’t know if it fits into the story or if I would write it differently in hindsight, but it is something to think about. So thanks.
Now, I am not quite sure what your point was in your comments on my bio. You said that I don’t believe in communities. I am not sure where you got that from. But, it isn’t the case. If you point out what gave you that impression I will look to tighten up the language to avoid further confusion.
Russ Crespolini
5:10 pm on Thursday, May 3, 2012
I could understand why masculine constructs present in the Indiana Jones Trilogy and archetypes represented in modern mass media might not be your cup of tea. But, I don’t know if you are aware, but you can study additional fields besides the one you work in. So, after a undergraduate degree that focused more on journalism, for my master’s degree I widened my scope of study. I find many of the courses I took during my graduate study help me understand current issues I come across.
And yes, as part of those five things about me I also mention I was a fan of two now-cancelled soap operas. I suppose the point you are trying to make is that all of my interests are not solely focused on journalism.
Guilty. I do enjoy a wide variety of things and I think, in the end it makes me a better journalist as it helps lend perspective.
Russ Crespolini
5:11 pm on Thursday, May 3, 2012
The rest of your post cites specific instances you take issue with in terms of the officer and the council. I would posit that attending a council meeting and asking these questions might have gotten you an answer about what was policy or not.
At the end of it, you have gone out of your way to assign motivations to others (myself included) and attacked the credibility and credentials of all you mention. But if you have additional information to support some of your grievances I would invite you to submit to me via e-mail on the site, give me a call or present them to the mayor and council at the next meeting.
Russ Crespolini
5:13 pm on Thursday, May 3, 2012
Of course, you would have to stand behind your statements and use your real name to do that.
At the end of your post you asked me some questions.
I have no opinion on whether or not the council chose the right person for the job. I don’t live in Mendham, and I have never spoken to Libertino before the interview. The article was a vehicle for the new chief to be announced and a chance for him to expound on his philosophy. Which is what it did.
Do I believe the article had a good title?
No, I don’t. I’ve seen it used so many times in announcing a new chief over the years I should have been able to come up with something better. In fact, I google searched it an hour ago and found dozens of articles with this unoriginal headline. But sometimes it just doesn’t come to you.
I hope this clears some of the confusion up for you.
As a journalist, I respect your right to express yourself and take shots at me and my bio.
As a person, I find it offensive that you need to do so hiding behind a fake name.
If you would like to continue the conversation here or offline, on or off the record, you have my contact information. Thanks again for reading and for writing.
Mary Magdalen
5:48 am on Friday, May 4, 2012
While Mr. Crespolini continues to prove his is bigger than Mr. Public's, I would like to get back to the article written. Thank you Mia for pointing out vital information pertaining to Mr. Libertino's background. This is appalling for Mendham Borough. Who walks into a bar with a gun? Libertino left and returned with a weapon with the intention to intimidate. What a freak! Exactly how does one avoid charges on such behavior? That would be like a student walking into a class with a gun and being told he was going from an A to a B! Where are the repercussions? Mayor and Council of Mendham Borough, you are clearly "the other side of the tracks" now for allowing this dirt bag in the position of leadership! Just like yourselves, the position of Chief should be left up to the voters. You clearly did not make this decision in the best interest of the town, it was based on your own personal agendas. Shame, shame, shame on all of you! Our only hope is that Libertino fails his physical and - most importantly - psychological exam!
Russ Crespolini
10:25 am on Friday, May 4, 2012
Mary, three things:
1. Please call me Russ.
2. Was the bigger thing a fat joke? ;-)
3. I love your thoughts and the debate, but please refrain from name calling like "dirt bag." I don't want to have to delete your post because it has very good points.
Victor Cruz
7:12 am on Friday, May 4, 2012
Wow
Victor Cruz
7:32 am on Friday, May 4, 2012
I do agree with both Mia and Mary. He clearly showed he can not keep his cool when it comes to a tense situation( most police work is tense). What are you thinking local bar, regulars all at there bar( out numbered), out of state man and you bring a gun back to there bar What are you DOING!!!!The town needed to hire a panel ALL with law enforcemnt backgrounds with no ties or knowledge of the canidates or small town big shoe politics.Hire the best candidate who has the best knowledge of how a police dept should function not someone that they can control.The only thing that the council can control within the police dept is there budget they can not control there SOP's or change the law. He said he learned from his actions at the bar and it has made him a better person . Thats fine bu thow many people have gone to AA and fallen of the wagon.
Russ Crespolini
10:35 am on Friday, May 4, 2012
Victor, like I said to John if you have evidence of any of the motivations you have assigned to the council, please contact me on or offline and share it with me to I can explore it.
Also, I would encourage you to attend council meetings and bring up these points. If you and Mary and Mia and John all present a compelling case, perhaps you can make a difference.
I believe the next one is Monday night at 8 PM.
Thanks for commenting and for reading.