By David Cruz
Correspondent
As a rising political power, Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop is already accustomed to getting his way. So far, he’s been a velvet glove kind of leader but this week he showed the iron hand of a boss, demoting Police Chief Robert Cowan for not getting with the program.
In a separation letter sent to Cowan Wednesday, Fulop said the demotion was due in part to Cowan’s opposition to proposed changes in the department, concern with a number of lawsuits filed against him for retaliation and assertions by rank and file cops that they couldn’t work with him.
The mayor today said Cowan was becoming a liability for the city, noting that the several lawsuits filed against him were negatively affecting the department’s morale and leaving a terrible impression.
“The city is subject to several lawsuits right now,” noted the mayor. “They go into detail of the police chief meeting with people regarding political retaliation at 3 a.m. in a cemetery. I think anybody who would read that would say, ‘What is the police chief doing at 3 a.m. in a cemetery?’”
Cowan wasn’t available for comment today but a number of police sources said he would try to fight the demotion — which becomes official in 20 days — by appealing to the city council. Former city cop, now Councilman Richard Boggiano, who would be a part of that hearing, wouldn’t comment on Cowan specifically, but was critical of the mayor.
“I should have been notified and so should the other council people have been notified about what was going on,” he said. “The day before, I sat down with another council person, a former chief and the director. We had a meeting about the transformation of the police department and nothing was ever mentioned about this, nothing was ever mentioned about what’s going on.”
City cops are generally not allowed to speak the press, but off camera several said Cowan was a source of friction in the department and hoped that his demotion would result in a morale boost. The mayor was clear today that he had lost faith in Cowan — a 34-year veteran of the force and the mayor’s former political ally.
“Well, he’s protected by civil service so he’s going to revert back to his previous title [deputy director] and whether he stays in the department or doesn’t stay in the department is ultimately his decision,” said Fulop. “He obviously has enough time in the department to have the flexibility as to whether he stays or retires.”
Whatever it’s public justification, the mayor’s move is intended to show decisiveness and a willingness to push to the side anything or anyone who presents an obstacle, especially on public safety.