Prosecutor’s Office Overseeing Police Department

WILDWOOD CREST – In every organization, periodically there are changes in personnel. New people come and old people leave. It is usually an orderly and expected process. Usually.
The police chief of Wildwood Crest recently retired. More than one candidate and one faction are now seeking the position.
When Police Chief Thomas DePaul retired Dec. 31, 2013, the head of the 23-officer department was making in excess of $136,000 annually. Since his retirement, the department has been in turmoil as a result of accusations that have resulted in an internal investigation.
DePaul was hired as director of the Cape May County Police Academy, effective Sept. 1, 2013. The dates of his new hire and his retirement overlapped by three months, during which time he was being paid for both. DePaul said he used time that he had earned during his tenure on the Wildwood Crest police force.
Due to the complicated nature of some of the legal issues, Mayor Carl Groon made a formal request of the prosecutor’s office to oversee the transition and monitor the entire police department for as long as is necessary.
Captain David Mayer has been assigned to do the every day job of overseeing the functioning of the department but it does not require any extensive commitment of time, according to those involved. Prosecutor Bob Taylor told the Herald the entire matter is fairly routine. “If they need help, we help out,” Taylor said, referring to the monitoring request. Taylor also said he really appreciates it “when a mayor asks us to oversee a matter to make sure it goes smoothly.” Taylor insisted that Mayer’s attention would only amount to a few minutes a day.
“There really isn’t a lot I can say about the situation right now,” commented Groon. “We asked the prosecutor’s office to help us out and they are. The situation needs this right now. I wish I could say more but I can’t. I just hope it’s over soon.”
To contact Helen McCaffrey, email hmccaffrey@cmcherald.com.