Former Passaic police chief is sworn in as city's first public safety director

Richard Diaz is holding his son while his wife, Carolina,
holds their daughter and the Bible.

Former Police Chief Richard Diaz stepped out of retirement and back into the crossfire of Passaic politics Tuesday night when he was sworn in as the city’s first public safety director.

Cradling his son in his arms, Diaz raised his right hand and took the oath of office, administered by Mayor Alex D. Blanco, promising once again to serve the city where he lives and served as a police officer for 26 years before retiring as chief in February.

In his opening remarks, Blanco acknowledged that not everyone is going to agree with Diaz’s appointment as public safety director. Diaz ruffled many feathers among rank-and-file officers during his 26 years on the job, and he’s currently a defendant in two lawsuits filed by members of the department. He’s also under investigation by the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office for allegedly attempting to issue a police identification card to his brother-in-law, who is a civilian.

“I’m sure many of you have read the same newspaper article,” Blanco said, referring to published reports about Diaz’s troubles that appeared in The Record and the Herald News on Tuesday. “But let’s look at the facts.”

Blanco then cited Diaz’s 26 years of experience, noting that at one time or another, Diaz had supervised “every division in the department.” He also lives in the city and has a vested interest in safe streets, the mayor said.

“If our streets are not safe, then the city cannot move forward,” Blanco told about 150 people, many of them police officers and firefighters, who crowded into the City Council chambers.

After taking the oath, Diaz thanked the mayor and promised to serve with honor. “I am here for you,” he told the audience. “I’m here to serve you.”

The City Council voted 6-0 to ratify the appointment. Councilman Chaim Munk was absent.

Council members applauded the appointment and said the new public safety director will create better accountability in Passaic, where there is plenty of crime and, frequently, tension between police and citizens.

“Government needs to be transparent,” said City Council President Gary S. Schaer. “And under your leadership, we know we will see that transparency.”

Councilman Terrence Love, while acknowledging that not everyone will agree with Diaz’s appointment, said Blanco made an “excellent” choice.

“You can say what you want about the public safety director, but that man has it in his heart to want to make Passaic better,” he said.

Diaz retired seven months ago and began drawing a $110,000 annual pension. He’ll continue to collect his pension on top of the $65,000 salary that the City Council has set for the public safety director’s position.

Diaz’s first official action came minutes later after Blanco swore in eight new police officers — five men and three women. Diaz shook the hand of each new officer, then made the rounds of the room, pressing the flesh with friends, family and supporters.

Via: http://www.northjersey.com/