Above: Gottheimer with Bergen County law enforcement.

TEANECK, NJ — U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) joined Bergen County Sheriff Anthony Cureton, Bergen County Community College President Edward Friedman, Ph.D, and local police chiefs from across Bergen County to discuss funding, training, and resources needed to help keep communities and officers safe. 

Gottheimer was joined by Bergen County Sheriff Anthony Cureton, Bergen County Community College President Edward Friedman, Ph.D, Franklin Lakes Police Chief Carmine Pezzuti, Glen Rock Police Chief Dean Ackermann, Oakland Police Chief Keith Sanzari, Park Ridge Police Chief Joseph Madden, Westwood Police Chief Michael Pontillo, Wyckoff Police Chief David Murphy.

“Our first responders put their lives on the line every single day to keep our communities safe, running toward the danger instead of away,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “It was great to meet with police chiefs and law enforcement from across Bergen County today to discuss what resources they need to be able to protect the people they serve, and do their jobs safely and effectively. I will always get the backs of those who have bravely had ours.” 

Congressman Gottheimer has helped increase investment in grants and equipment for first responders and led legislation to support our officers:

• Gottheimer helped secure $8 million for Law Enforcement Mental Health with the S. 1502 Confidentiality Opportunities for Peer Support Counseling Act (COPS) Counseling Act. 
• Gottheimer has clawed back more than $2 million in COPS Office grants for our police departments since taking office
• Gottheimer is a member of the bipartisan Law Enforcement Caucus 
• Gottheimer’s office has assisted Fifth District Police Departments receive grants through the COPS Hiring Program, the School Violence Prevention Program, JAG, Community Policing Grants, and the STOP School Violence Program
• Gottheimer also was proud to support H.R. 962, the “Law Enforcement Officers’ Equity Act,” which would expand the definition of “law enforcement officer” for salary and retirement benefits to include all Federal law enforcement officers 
• Gottheimer cosponsored H.R. 2936 Protecting America’s First Responders Act,” which would update the Public Safety Officers Death Benefits disability determinations and the definitions making it more consistent with existing Federal law and greatly improve the ability of our injured and disabled officers to have their claims processed more fairly and more quickly.

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