Morris County Prosecutor and the Morris County Chapter of the NAACP hold relationship-building summit
MORRISTOWN, NJ (Morris County) – Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp, First Assistant Prosecutor Thomas A. Zelante, Acting Chief Christoph Kimker, Chief of Staff Rocco L. Miscia and Detective Supervisor Patrick LaGuerre joined executive members of the Morris County Chapter of the NAACP last Friday for a summit to continue building community rapport and to discuss law enforcement interaction with the community.
Participating at the meeting for the Morris County NAACP were NJSCNAACP 3rd VP & NAACP Morris County Branch President Vanessa Brown, 1st Vice President Ottawana Anderson, Morris County Correctional Facility Chaplain and Chairman/Criminal Justice for the Morris County NAACP Rev. Herman Scott, and Chair of Legal Redress Robert Warrington, Esq.
During the meeting, Knapp explained his office’s role in the criminal justice system, how the COVID-19 emergency has impacted operation of the MCPO and the courts, his efforts to diversify hiring at the MCPO, the professional training officers undergo, how Internal Affairs investigations are conducted, and related topics.
NJSCNAACP 3rd VP & NAACP Morris County Branch President President Brown shared the NAACP vision statement with the group, explained their goals, and is exploring the possibility of a youth career opportunity program with the MCPO. It is her hope that the program will continue with the incoming Prosecutor.
In the past few months, the NAACP executive members and Prosecutor Knapp have met via Zoom due to the COVID-19 emergency. During those meetings, discussions have concerned ongoing issues of importance to the African American community in Morris County.
NJSCNAACP 3rd VP & NAACP Morris County Branch President Brown thanked Prosecutor Knapp for meeting with the executive members in person while social distancing, saying “Prosecutor Knapp and staff members had a great discussion about the past and present Morris County Community. We wish him and his family well in his retirement. We look forward to him introducing us to the next Prosecutor to hold the office and hope to have input concerning his successor’s appointment. We still plan to work with the Prosecutor’s Office to bring workshops to the Community and have internships in their office. Overall, we monitor activities and important developments in the Community and look forward to growth opportunities, promotions and partnerships.”
“I am very proud of the relationship I have had with the NAACP during my tenure as Prosecutor. We have also continued community outreach from the beginning of my appointment. I believe together we have fostered positive community relations along with many other community leaders. Our continuing dialogue has been extremely informative and beneficial to all parties involved. We hope to conduct a program together with the NAACP in the coming weeks to advance better communication,” Knapp said.
