Dozens Protest Police Promotions in Nutley

Officers, supporters and inflatable rat showed their solidarity with the Nutley police union on Tuesday.

Officials and PBA members have clashed over promotions in the police department. Nutley Police Union President Gerard Tusa has accused Mayor Alphonse Petracco of blocking the promotion of Capt. Thomas Strumolo to chief. Petracco said he is trying to hire more officers and contain taxpayer cost by exploring all options.

Strumolo has brought legal action against the township for being passed over for the role. In April, he filed a notice of a Tort Claim against Nutley, seeking $2.5 million in damages. In the Tort, Strumolo claims Mayor Petracco has unlawfully retaliated against because Strumulo brought information about the mayor’s alleged union-busting attention of the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office.