THE GADFLY-In Memory of Larry Angel: Officer Paul Sarraf Fights to Save Job

MULLICA TOWNSHIP — Veteran officer Paul “P.J.” Sarraf faces possible termination after almost 19 years on the police force because his sleep apnea and other medical conditions prevent him from working overnight shifts or later than 8 p.m.

Township police Chief John Thompson has told him his need to work day shifts cannot be accommodated, wife Barbara Sarraf said at Tuesday’s Township Committee meeting, which was packed with Sarraf’s supporters who are trying to save his job and his pension.

Many speakers said they felt the problem was personal animosity between Thompson, who did not attend the meeting, and Sarraf.

“Because of potential litigation, please don’t look for a reply from us,” said Mayor Chris Silva. He also said the committee has no official action related to Sarraf before it.

“There are signs throughout Mullica Township in support of Officer Sarraf,” said resident Robin Garwood. “He’s been here to keep us safe and cheered our children on at the fields. This community knows and respects him.”

Saraff both lives and works in the township.

The township has 13 uniformed officers, according to its website, including seven patrol officers, a corporal, a sergeant, a captain, a matron, a detective and the chief. Support staff include a secretary and a technical coordinator. However, the resignation of Officer Joseph Giardina was accepted Tuesday night.

Barbara Sarraf said her husband will only get back what he paid into the pension system if he loses his job before 20 years on the job. If he works for 20 years, he can collect 50 percent of his pension payments upon retirement, but no health benefits. Only if he works for 25 years can he collect his full retirement and get medical benefits, she said.

“In Mullica Township, we care about each other and the people who work for us and who live in the community,” resident Jean Brindle said Tuesday. “And as a taxpayer, why pay money to lawyers and for litigation when this could be solved so easily?”

She asked the committee to simply let Sarraf work days.

The room erupted in applause and calls of, “You’ve got that right.”

It was reminiscent of how the community came out in support of tenured Mullica Township Elementary School kindergarten teacher Kelly Mascio in 2013 and 2014, when the Board of Education moved to take away her tenure and fire her after two 5-year-olds said they had engaged in sexual play in her classroom bathroom.

Mascio got a great deal of support from other teachers and from members of the community. She also lives in the township.

In June of 2014, state Arbitrator Daniel F. Brent ruled Mascio should not lose her job or tenure and was entitled to almost all of her back pay lost to unpaid suspension.

Resident Kathy Werner brought up the Mascio case.

“A few years ago we all supported a teacher at the school. I can’t believe you would now turn your back on an officer,” Werner said. “It’s going to divide the town again.”

“I have lived here 67 years,” said resident Kathy Wooten. “I am appalled. I don’t know how you cannot accommodate a person with a medical condition.”

Former Mullica police officer Erik Carricarte, who retired in 2016 after narrowly avoiding being killed by a passing car during a traffic stop, said Saraff is about 80 percent through his career, with about 20 percent of his time to go before he can retire.

“If somebody tries to take that away, what does that say to you?” asked Carricarte, who said the department has been understaffed for years because so many officers leave.

Sarraf said after the meeting he was overwhelmed by the show of support.