In the Spotlight

Name: Vincent J. Caruso Position: Police Chief of Lodi How long in position: Chief Caruso has been working as Police Chief of Lodi since 2003. Past experience: Prior to his promotion, Caruso was an Officer of Lodi for over 20 years. Occupation: Police Chief Age: 44 Family: Chief Caruso is a loving husband and father of four boys. Personal and professional accomplishments: Chief Caruso’s most prized accomplishment occurred when he was only a Patrolman. He received dispatch that a baby was in dire need of assistance. The child had stopped breathing and beginning to turn blue. Patrolman Caruso arrived on the scene and successfully gave the child mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. The child, to this day, is alive, well and living in Lodi. What is important to you for your town/state/nationally? Chief Caruso has an avid interest in improving the quality of the police force. He believes that individual municipalities should be allotted more control over the two percent budget cap instituted by Governor Christie. He asserted that more federal and state funding should be used to hire more police officers, instead of cutting state and federal aid programs. “Today, we have to do a lot more with a lot less money and personnel.” Specifically, it is essential to keep up with the perpetually changing technology. Chief Caruso expressed extreme frustration over the lack of funding to do so, as he considered current, pressing issues, such as terrorism. Also, current regulations implemented by the federal, state and local courts “handcuff” law enforcement with laws that lack common sense and give more rights to criminals than the enforcing officers. Quote: “Don’t ask someone to do something that you would never do. Always remember where you came from and don’t forget it. Live your professional and personal life as ethically and morally as humanly possible and expect the same from your staff.”