NEWS

Lawman with FBI, terrorism security background may run for Morris sheriff

Peggy Wright
@PeggyWrightDR

James Gannon, a former deputy chief of investigations for the Morris County Prosecutor's Office who last worked as global head of security risk for Novartis, has opened a campaign account with the state Election Law Enforcement Commission, a prerequisite to running for county sheriff in the June 7, 2016 GOP primary election.

James Gannon

"I am strongly considering a run for Morris County sheriff and in preparation for a formal announcement, I have filed the necessary paperwork with the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission," Gannon, a 54-year-old Boonton resident, said Monday.

Gannon's law enforcement and security career includes time as a police officer in Boonton, Boonton Township, as deputy chief of investigations at the Prosecutor's Office, as a member of the FBI's elite Joint Terrorism Task Force and, most recently, as global head of security risk at Novartis, the pharmaceutical giant headquartered in East Hanover. He said he is leaving there as of Dec. 31.

"We live in extraordinarily dangerous times where even places like Morris County can become a target for violent crime and acts of terrorism.  If I ultimately decide to run, I am confident that my 33-plus years of law enforcement and security experience will bring a modern, professional and fiscally responsible approach to the Morris County Sheriff's Office," Gannon said.

Edward V. Rochford, a 71-year-old Republican resident of Morristown, has held the constitutional position of sheriff since January 1993 and has not officially announced whether he will seek a ninth, three-year term. The sheriff's office predominantly oversees security in the Morris County courthouse but has a criminal investigation section that responds to about 2,600 calls a year, a bomb unit, a K-9 unit, and a Sheriff's Emergency Response Team, equivalent to a SWAT team.

Morris County Sheriff Edward V. Rochford

As of Monday afternoon, Rochford had not responded to an emailed request for comment or to a message left in his office at the county courthouse.

County Republican Chairman John Sette said he fully supports another term for Rochford, but said he was speaking only for himself and not as leader of the GOP party.

"I absolutely support Ed, not only 100 percent but a million percent," Sette said. Sette said that out of 3,083 sheriff's offices in the United States, only 38 of those offices -- including Morris County's -- have achieved a "Triple Crown" accreditation rating. Sette said that Rochford also has never run over budget, demonstrating that Rochford is fiscally responsible.

"Jim Gannon is a very nice guy.  He has a great background but he doesn't have a background in running a sheriff's office and running a jail," Sette said.

But, the county freeholders voted 6-1 in June to transfer authority of the 505-bed jail from the sheriff's office to county administration after a long-running feud with Rochford over financial issues, including his decision to negotiate costly contracts with corrections officers and other jail staff without involving county labor counsel. After taking over the jail as of September, the freeholders have agreed to several new contracts for officers and jail civilians at far less cost than Rochford had proposed.

Gannon, who has taught crime scene investigation practices to police in other parts of the world and will be teaching a death investigation course this spring at Centenary College in Warren County, said his campaign would focus on "the issues," if he runs.

"The manner in which I become sheriff is more important than being sheriff," Gannon said. "I think it's important the race should be on the issues."

Roxbury Police Chief James Simonetti called Gannon "Mr. Law Enforcement in Morris County."

"I've worked with Jim for over 25 years and whatever he puts his mind to he does 110 percent.  Nobody is more driven than Jim Gannon."

Gannon's filing with ELEC lists Judith Frank, a professional bookkeeper from Succasunna, as his treasurer.

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