Just what they’re looking for
Retired PFRS members throughout the state
endorse Polkowitz as the candidate with the right stuff
n BY MITCHELL KRUGEL
The hits keep coming for Bruce Polkowitz, the Local 600 and
NJ State PBA-endorsed candidate for trustee representing re-
tired members on the new Police and Fire Retirement System
(PFRS) board. At the Christmas party for NJ Retired Police and
Fire Association Local 5 in Passaic County, words were passed
about why Polkowitz was the best retired PFRS member for the
job.
“He’s a younger generation of retired member, and that’s
what we’re looking for,” confirmed Local 5 President Carl Padu-
la, a 25-year veteran of the Paterson Police Department and re-
tired Paterson PBA Local 1 member. “The older guys are looking
for the younger guys to step up to the plate. Bruce is energetic.
He’s outspoken. He’s who we need to speak up and get people to
listen to us. I think he’s a good play for us.”
Besides the 300 NJ Retired Police and Fire Association Local 5
members who came together to back Polkowitz, he has attract-
ed immense support from other Locals who are calling him
one of their own. Just before ballots to vote for retired mem-
bers trustee went out on Dec. 5, Polkowitz spoke at a meeting of
Local 3 of Union County. He has impressed members through-
out the state, not as somebody who will represent retired PBA
members or retired FMBA members or retired members of any
other public safety labor union.
“Finally, I think we have somebody who will represent the re-
tired guys and not just the union guys,” Local 3 President Den-
nis Farrell declares. “There is no question Bruce is a guy who
can give a voice to the retired PFRS members.”
CONTINUED ON PAGE 30
www.njcopsmagazine.com
■ DECEMBER 2018 29