Dover has 'no immediate plans' to appoint police chief

DOVER - The town is not in a hurry to name a successor to former Police Chief Harold "Butch" Valentine, who resigned effective Dec. 1 and resolved administrative charges by accepting a six-day unpaid suspension.

"There are no immediate plans to appoint a chief but the matter is under continued review," said town Administrator Donald J. Travisano.  "The present command structure with the public safety director and two lieutenants is proving very successful."

Travisano was referring to current leadership in the police department that consists of Lts. Anthony Smith and Frank Coppinger and civilian Public Safety Director Dominick Saldida, who was hired on Sept. 8 to oversee police, fire and emergency management services in town.

Valentine, a member of the department for 35 years and police chief for 13 years, had been facing several disciplinary/administrative charges leveled against him in the spring by Travisano.  Valentine had acknowledged to the Daily Record -- while denying any wrongdoing -- that the charges included calling in sick to go fishing and not following through with training of officers on use of force.

The town and Valentine last month reached an agreement under which the administrative charges would be resolved to the satisfaction of both sides so that Valentine could leave in good standing as of Dec. 1 and apply for his pension. The Daily Record filed an Open Public Records Act request for the town's separation agreement with Valentine but references to the specific disciplinary charges were redacted.

However, the agreement says that a six-day unpaid suspension was imposed on Valentine but the reason for it was redacted.

Valentine on Nov. 16 gave Travisano a letter of resignation.  He had gone out on a paid leave of absence around June 29 but then ran out of sick and vacation time.  The settlement agreement called for Valentine to be on an unpaid leave of absence between Nov. 6 and Dec. 1.

The town will pay the health insurance premiums for Valentine in his retirement, in accord with a Dover Policemen's Benevolent Association No. 107, Superior Officer's Association contract, which stipulates insurance premium coverage on officers who retire after at least 25 years of service and were hired prior to Jan. 1, 2009.

Though two lawsuits filed by officers are pending against the police department, Valentine is not directly a defendant.  The agreement says that Valentine's legal fees would be paid by the town if he were pulled into the lawsuits.

Valentine has not responded to requests for comment.  His attorney, Marcy McMann, previously has said the separation agreement was reached.

"He's retiring in good standing after 35 years of service.  It was time for him to embark on a new part of his life, and he considers it an honor to have served the town. He has resolved his differences with the town," McMann has said.

Valentine's years of service and final salary with Dover entitle him to an annual pension of about $91,200.

    Staff Writer Peggy Wright: 973-267-1142; pwright@GannettNJ.com.