Morristown Mayor Calls Criticism Of Cop Hiring Record 'Fake News'

MORRISTOWN, NJ — The public quarreling between Mayor Tim Dougherty and Morristown's police benevolent association hit another fever pitch. Morristown PBA Local 43 called out Dougherty in a social media post after he and town officials promoted job openings from the New Jersey State Police.

The PBA said that Dougherty hasn't hired a Morristown officer in two years. Dougherty called the claim "fake news" and told Patch that his administration has hired 31 cops. Dougherty has served three terms as mayor and seeks a fourth but will face a primary challenge against Esperanza Porras-Field.

Notwithstanding, the PBA blasted Dougherty after two social-media accounts run by town officials promoted the State Police job openings.

The town's Facebook page posts daily videos in which Dougherty updates the public on new coronavirus cases and other town matters. In Tuesday's video, he stood with a state trooper, who discussed the job openings.

The Morristown Department of Public Safety posted a link to the State Police job openings Wednesday on its Facebook page. The Department of Public Safety comprises the police and fire bureaus and the Office of Emergency Management.

See the social media posts below:

The PBA took screenshots of both posts and called Dougherty's appearance with the state trooper a "photo op to imply that he supports the police."

"The mayor has been very interested in promoting the State Police hiring process recently," the PBA wrote. "Odd, seeing as he hasn’t hired an actual Morristown cop in 2 years with 6 eligible retirements by years end.

"Make no mistake that this is a photo op to imply that he supports the police. The problem is, there isn’t any of his own Patrol Officers that would stand next to him for the photo op. Why? Because he doesn’t stand with us."

Dougherty emailed the following statement to Patch in response:

"Tuesday, I had the pleasure of running into Trooper Fernandez from the NJ State Police as he was actively recruiting candidates on behalf of the State Police in our downtown. He joined me in my daily post to further reach our community. But, leave it to the PBA leadership to take this positive event and turn it into a petty and negative post.

"Sorry to let facts get in the way of fake news but this administration has hired 31 police officers and has had 29 promotions in the department. Also as of April 15, there are no retirement papers filed with the State of NJ.

PBA Leadership should concentrate on protecting and serving the residents of
Morristown and avoid spreading misinformation which only serves to undermine the credibility of the department and the hard-working men and women that are proud to serve our community."

The Facebook post was the latest chapter in the disputes between Dougherty and the PBA. Recently, a truck parked near the Morristown Green flashing digital messages accusing Dougherty and his wife of corruption. The truck echoed Porras-Field's call for term limits.

PBA President Dennis Bergman confirmed to Morristown Green that the truck was a joint venture between his organization and an anonymous website calling for his ouster.

Morristown First Lady Mary Dougherty ran unsuccessfully for Morris County freeholder in 2018. She pleaded guilty Feb. 19 to filing a false report in connection with an illegal campaign contribution she received.

Mary Dougherty was sentenced to a year of probation. The Office of Attorney General did not link Tim Dougherty to the case.

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