Toms River mayor suspends police chief over 'administrative issue,' sources say

TOMS RIVER - Police Chief Mitch Little was suspended for two days, according to several sources.

The suspension, which was over an administrative issue, was first reported by Patch . Sources said it is not the first action Mayor Daniel Rodrick's administration has taken against the chief, who previously had complaints placed in his personnel file.

Lt. Peter Sundack is in charge while Little is suspended.

It comes after Rodrick and Little clashed earlier this year after the chief objected to the mayor's plan to eliminate two captains' positions, as well as a patrolman's job and the job of Jillian Messina, the department's former spokeswoman.

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While the Township Council voted to rescind an ordinance eliminating the two captains' jobs following a successful public petition drive to compel the council to withdraw the measure, Rodrick has been adamant that he will not allow any new promotions to the captains' positions . The mayor is using the savings from cutting the jobs of two retiring captains to fund full-time ambulance service throughout town.

Last week Messina filed a lawsuit, accusing Rodrick and the council of eliminating her job because of the mayor's animosity toward her father, Joseph Nardini, who is a member of Toms River Regional's Board of Education.

Assistant Township Attorney Peter Pascarella said that Messina was a confidential employee, who did not have a contract, "which means she can be terminated for any reason that is not unlawful. Her position was eliminated for economic reasons, which is solely the administration's discretion."

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Jean Mikle covers Toms River and several other Ocean County towns, and has been writing about local government and politics at the Jersey Shore for many years. She's also passionate about the Shore's storied music scene. Contact her: @jeanmikle,  jmikle@gannettnj.com .

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Toms River mayor suspends police chief over 'administrative issue,' sources say