June 5, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 3 Ho-Ho-Kus Council approves Pattman promotion, new officer hire by Jennifer Crusco The Ho-Ho-Kus Council has approved a resolution to promote Police Lieutenant Michael Pattman to the captain’s post, and a second measure to hire a new police officer due to anticipated retirements within the department. John Wanamaker, the department’s current chief of police, was the last person to have served as captain. He noted that the captain’s post has been vacant since he became chief in early 2011. “Traditionally, we’ve had a chief and a second-incommand, a captain or a lieutenant,” Chief Wanamaker explained. Pattman is already considered the police department’s second-in-command, but is required to serve as captain before he can potentially be promoted to the chief’s post. If he is eventually promoted to the chief’s position, he will be following in the footsteps of his father Jack, a longtime Ho-Ho-Kus police officer and former police chief. According to the resolution, Pattman was to have been sworn in by Mayor Thomas Randall at borough hall as soon as possible so the promotion would become effective as of June 1. However, Chief Wanamaker indicated that a public ceremony would be held subsequently. Wanamaker recommended Pattman based on consideration of the officer’s merit, experience, and qualifications. As captain, Pattman will be paid $142,000. He will also be required to “attend all sessions of the Ho-Ho-Kus Municipal Court at no charge to the borough until his promotion to a higher rank,” the resolution states. Pattman was sworn in as the police department’s lieutenant in May 2011. Before he became lieutenant, Pattman was the Ho-Ho-Kus Police Department’s detective sergeant. Anthony Balestrieri has been serving as the department’s detective since January, when the previous detective, Jaime Bodart, was promoted to sergeant. Pattman joined the department as a police dispatcher in 1984. He was sworn in as a patrolman in 1987, and became a detective in 1998. He was promoted to sergeant in 2001. In addition to serving as the department’s detective and juvenile officer, Pattman has also been a member of the Joint Terrorism Task Force. Pattman grew up in Ho-Ho-Kus. He is a graduate of Midland Park High School and of Bergen Community College, where he earned a degree in criminal justice. He has received multiple commendations for apprehensions and for closing burglary cases. He also earned the Life Saving Award for his role in handling a hostage situation. He and his wife Karen have three children: Allison, Eric, and Sean. The second police-related resolution approved by the council acknowledges the need to appoint a new police officer and authorizes interviews to commence as quickly as possible. The resolution states that two or three police retirements are anticipated this year. The goal is to have a candidate ready to attend the July training course at the Law & Public Safety Institute. Applicants must pass the training course and a physical examination, and must meet the personnel qualifications set forth in the code.