By: Jeff Sommes
The Honorable Mayor Ted R. Green and Public Safety Chairwoman Amy Lewis announced today the appointment of a new Public Safety Director and the promotion of three Acting Deputy Chiefs of Police.
Officials named longtime East Orange Police Captain Maurice Boyd to lead the Department of Public Safety as Director, overseeing the East Orange Police Department, Fire Department, and Office of Emergency Management. He will also be the first African American man to hold this position.
East Orange officials said Boyd will manage, update and streamline public safety policies and increase overall efficiency in these three critical areas, among other duties.
During the ceremony, officials promoted three EOPD officers — Captain Larry Martin, a 27-year veteran, Captain Carla Roberts, a 23-year veteran, and Captain Calvin Anderson, a 23-year veteran— will be promoted to Acting Deputy Chiefs. Captain Roberts is the first African American woman to hold a position as Deputy Chief. Chief Phyllis Bindi was the first woman.
“Director Maurice Boyd is well-respected among his colleagues and has worked in nearly every unit of EOPD, starting with the patrol division where he began in 2002. As a member of the Street Crime Assertion Team, Enhanced Community Safety Team, Violent Crime Task Force and Strategic Analysis Intelligence Unit between 2003 and 2011, Director Boyd worked cooperatively with his fellow officers to successfully drive down crime in East Orange, a trend that has decreased over 80% over the past two decades,” said Mayor Green.
“Under his leadership and with his passion and commitment to the mission of serving the people of East Orange, I have every confidence that Director Boyd is the right man at the right time to lead East Orange into the future.”
“I am equally excited to promote Captains Larry Martin, Carla Roberts and Calvin Anderson to the role of Acting Deputy Chiefs. All three represent our community well and will be instrumental in supporting our efforts to continue to make East Orange a safer place to live, work and play.”
“I am looking forward to great progress under the leadership of Director Boyd and our new Acting Deputy Chiefs. I want to commend the Mayor for putting together this dynamic team and I know that they will work with our Chief to enhance public safety initiatives in the city, including increasing patrols,” said Councilwoman Lewis.
“I have every confidence that Director Boyd will lead this agency to where it needs to be and my committee and colleagues will continue to be here to support you.”
Mayor Green said Boyd is a highly-experienced law enforcement officer with over 20 years of experience in a diverse array of positions.
He has proven to be effective in communication, personnel management, relationship building and conflict management, as well as motivating personnel to maximize safety, security and service to local residents.
He began his career with the East Orange Police Department in 2002 in the Patrol Division and has served in the following capacities: Member of Street Assertion Team, Enhanced Community Safety Team, Violent Crime Task Force, and Strategic Analysis Intelligence Unit; Administrative Sergeant in Chief’s Office, Lieutenant in the Chief’s Office; Medical Officer; and Captain and Commanding Officer of Enhanced Community Safety Team and Patrol Division.
Throughout his tenure, he has earned numerous awards from various organizations, including the NYPD, Essex County P.B.A., and the East Orange Police Department. Boyd also formerly served as an assistant basketball coach for the East Orange Jaguars Varsity Basketball Team. He is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, National Fraternal Order of Police and National Society of Leadership and Success.
“I look forward to working with this new team in their new roles within the police department. It’s been a long time coming for deputy chiefs and I am absolutely thrilled and certainly welcome another woman at this level of policing. I also look forward to working with our new Public Safety Director, Maurice Boyd, who I have worked closely with for many years and in many units.
We will continue to build upon our already strong community bonds and provide professionalism, overall safety and service for the citizens of East Orange,” said Chief Bindi.
The newly-appointed director said he is grateful and humbled to accept this new role.
“I stand on the shoulders of many and I am thankful to all those who have influenced me in my career. My commitment is to Mayor Green and the citizens of East Orange. Today is a new chapter in my career.
As Public Safety Director, I will continue to move forward with the vision started by Mayor Green to positively influence the quality of life experienced by those who do business, work, live and visit our great city.
My office will foster an atmosphere of purposefulness in protecting the community and resourcefulness in operations while bolstering professionalism,” said Director Boyd. “The men and women of our police and fire divisions are among some of the best trained and most experienced personnel in the State of New Jersey.
The City of East Orange has made great strides through revitalizing our community and the Public Safety Department is committed to the safety and well-being of every resident. We ask you [the community to stand with us as we stand with you. ”
From L to R (1st row): Police Chief Phyllis Bindi, Mayor Ted Green, and Public Safety Director Maurice Boyd.
(2nd row): First Ward Councilwoman Amy Lewis, Acting Deputy Chiefs Carla Roberts, Calvin Anderson (at top) and Larry Martin.