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An agreement that also includes the appointment of an as-yet-unnamed monitor for the next six months was worked out with city officials and made formal in a Memorandum of Understanding signed by Bergen County Prosecutor John L. Molinelli and City Manager Stephen Lo Iacono.
The memo of understanding’s stated purpose is to “permit the Hackensack Police Department requisite time necessary to establish a sense of order within the ranks and to bring stability to the administration of the agency.”
If the city and the department don’t cooperate fully with the agreement, Molinelli has the right to take over operations, putting members of his own staff in charge.
Padilla, who is stepping down from his seat on the Bergen County Board of Chosen Freeholders, must report each day to the monitor, who, in turn, will report back to Molinelli or to his Chief of Detectives Steve Cuccinello.
As reported earlier on CLIFFVIEW PILOT, authorities said Zisa went to the scene of a single-car accident involving his former live-in girlfriend, put her in his car and drove her away before officers could administer sobriety tests.
The couple then filed a bogus insurance claim that, according to a source, she had swerved to avoid a rodent that dashed across the road that February 2008 night.
“[D]ivisiveness and discourse has occurred that has eroded or may, if not resolved, continue to erode the faith and confidence that has existed for many years between the City of Hackensack and its citizens,” a news release from Molinelli’s office says.
“To restore an effective chain of leadership and command, to restore order amongst the ranks and to ensure the faithful and diligent service of police services within the City, the Office of the Bergen County Prosecutor deems it necessary to provide temporary oversight, through a Monitor, of all major policy decisions and further oversight over the implementation of daily police operations as shall be administered by [Padilla],” it says.
CLIFFVIEWPILOT.COM BROKE THE STORY: Hackensack Police Chief Ken Zisa turned himself in to the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Thursday night on charges of ordering a subordinate to file a false report to cover up a DWI accident his girlfriend had, sources with knowledge of the investigation told CLIFFVIEW PILOT. FOR THE FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
Zisa, who surrendered to Bergen County authorities in Paramus last night to face insurance fraud charges, could resign as early as today, according to law enforcement officials familiar with the case. See: Zisa whisked girlfriend from cops after crash
Both he and Tiernan are due for initial appearances in Central Municipal Court in Hackensack at 9 a.m. Wednesday on charges of insurance fraud.
The Memorandum of Understanding prohibits the city and the department from assignment transfers, promotions, demotions “or any other change in assignment or remuneration without the prior express[ed] written approval” of the prosecutor’s office.
What’s more, it says, Molinelli’s office must review any disciplinary proceedings or personnel matters.
For an entire copy of the agreement, click here: Memorandum of Understanding by and between the Office of the Bergen County Prosecutor and the City of Hackensack
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