The memorandum was signed by city, county, and state officials in August working to come up with a proposal on how a county force would work in Camden. Former Philadelphia Police Commissioner John F. Timoney was hired to devise a plan. But after two weeks of consulting work, Timoney's slim report was vague in details. It said Camden ideally would have about 400 officers, but it did not say how the force would or should be paid for.
In passing Tuesday's resolution, Moran said, Council was demanding a detailed finance report.
"Come with the numbers. Come with the budget," he said. "We want to see the plan."
About a dozen people - mostly union officials and the usual Council gadflies - spoke in opposition to any plan. Nobody spoke in favor.
"Our police officers aren't perfect, but we know them and they know us," said activist Mary Cortes, a Cramer Hill resident. "These trigger-happy state police officers only want to prove themselves."
State representatives for the Fraternal Order of Police said the plan was about politics and not public safety.
"This is union-busting, plain and simple," said Edward R. Brannigan, national FOP vice president and New Jersey FOP president. He asked Council to hold a referendum on the plan to let residents decide.
After the meeting, Camden City Police Chief Scott Thomson called the union-busting talk a distraction and said a county department would offer "tremendous opportunities" to double the current force.
The current city department has 260 officers on the payroll, though its effective strength is estimated to be about 215.
"I get the anxiety and concerns, but . . . public safety has to prevail," Thomson said.
