Orange Police Officer Charles Whittle yesterday was sworn in as a permanent sergeant, ending a dispute and racial controversy of nearly a year over his promotion.

The NAACP of the Oranges and Maplewood, two black police fraternal organizations and Mayor Paul Monacelli have been supporters of Whittle's fight to get permanent status.

"Justice has been served," Monacelli said following the swearing-in of Whittle in city hall. "Sgt. Whittle deserved to be promoted. He's been doing an outstanding job in his provisional capacity.

"I'm also glad the state Personnel Department recognized the city's right to promote him to permanent status," the mayor added. "And that is what we've done here."

Whittle, a 23-year veteran of the police force, initially was promoted last Dec. 29, the day a state Civil Service promotional exam list expired.

Shortly afterwards, John DeRosa, president of the Orange Policemen's Benevolent Association union, filed a grievance claiming Whittle's appointment was made after the Dec.29 deadline.

Last spring, Morris J. Farinella, regional administrator for the state Personnel Department's Newark office, disapproved Whittle's appointment.

Farinella said his review of the matter showed Whittle did not begin working as a sergeant until Dec. 30, 1986.

The city, through Monacelli and acting City Attorney Raymond Codey, filed an appeal on May 12.

In mid-August, James Cosby, chapter president of the NAACP, urged the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate possible racism in the hiring and promotion policies in the Orange Police Department.

Last month, Personnel Commissioner Eugene J. McCaffrey Sr. upheld Monacelli's right to promote Whittle to permanent sergeant status.

"There is no doubt in the record as to whether Whittle started employment as a police sergeant on Dec. 29, 1986," McCaffrey wrote in his ruling.

"However," he added, "it is clear he took the oath of office for police sergeant on Dec. 29. Further, there was, at the very least, administrative error, since it was clearly the intention of the city to appoint Mr. Whittle effective Dec. 29, 1986."

"I'm glad it is over, for my sake and for my family's sake," Whittle said after the swearing-in ceremonies. "I'd just like to thank the mayor and the city attorney, Raymond Codey, for their diligence in fighting with Civil Service over this issue."

Whittle also expressed gratitude to the NAACP of the Oranges and Maplewood "for their helpful support, to the Orange Kinsmen, the black officer's organization and its president, Charles Cobbertt, and to the New Jersey National Black Police Officers Conference."

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“Reach Back with One Hand and Pull Someone Else Up With You.”

– Charles C. Cobbertt

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