Hightstown Police Director Names Acting Lieutenant

The Hightstown Police Department’s former acting police director was named acting lieutenant Tuesday night.

The Borough Council approved police officer Frank Gendron’s temporary promotion from sergeant in a 5-0-1 vote, with an abstention from Rob Thibault. 

The new position also comes with a raise, increasing his salary from $99,529 to $103,211.57, according to Borough Administrator Michael Theokas. When Gendron served as acting police director from Sept. 1 through February he did not receive an increase in pay.

Police liaison and council president Lawrence Quattrone said Police Director James Le Tellier made his own assessment of the department and chose Gendron for the acting position.

“He is definitely doing what we expected him to do,” Quattrone said of Le Tellier.

In April Gendron will be attending the FBI Academy for 10 weeks, but Le Tellier said that should not interfere with the acting position.

“He’s [Gendron] assured me he’s a phone call away if I need him,” Le Tellier said.

Le Tellier said Gendron did an outstanding job running the department after the hurricane and serving as acting police director after the former chief retired.