State officials OK Camden’s police layoff plan
New Jersey’s Civil Service Commission has approved Camden’s plan to dismantle its police department.
Mayor Dana Redd announced the decision Wednesday, calling it “yet another step” toward replacing Camden’s department with a county-run force.
The city’s plan, submitted in November, calls for the planned layoff of nearly 270 Camden officers. City officials say they will start notifying affected uniformed police personnel in April.
Redd has stressed that the city will have police coverage and patrols throughout the transition period.
Camden, a city of 77,000 situated between Philadelphia and some of its well-off suburbs, is among the nation’s most impoverished cities. It also ranks as among the most dangerous places.
The 67 homicides recorded there in 2012 were nine more than the previous record, set in 1995.
WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.