Badge 14

In an earlier Post I mentioned Bill Mulligan. He was "Chief Probation Officer" for the county. I don't think I ever met him, but my Dad knew him from Newark P.D. After a few calls an interview was set up for me in mid June 1965.

With a little help from Sir William F. Mulligan, a career awaited me. When I went down for my interview I was told to see someone named Ryan. That was it : Just ask for Ryan. I am off to a good start.

I found the "Chief's outer Office," and told the receptionist I was here to see "Mr" Ryan. "Oh." she said, "he just left, but I could catch him." She pointed him out to me heading down the hallway. So off I went calling Mr Ryan. I caught up with him and told him the receptionist told me to see him. No problem, He said: "Follow me 'kid.' " We wound up at his desk and he asked me all sorts of dumb questions. Fifteen minutes later I got to explain: "I am here to see someone named Ryan, for an interview with the Chief."

Mr Ryan, who was not a quiet human being, announced to the world (maybe four other people) that "The front office sent this 'kid' over for an interview." Someone pitched in and concluded I was to see Mrs. Ryan (no relation to Jimmy Ryan). A quick call was made to the front office, my appointment was verified, and off I was again to see "Chief Mulligan."

Another surprise awaited me. When I met the Chief's Secretary, Mrs. Ryan, she explained that Bill Mulligan was not the Chief. He was an Assistant Chief to newly appointed: Lawrence Larsen.

The interview with Mr. Larsen went quite well. I was hired with a starting date of July 1. I asked, on the way out of his office, about picking up my badge and other equipment. That was the first I heard of the expression "budget restrictions." Someone directed me to H. Buchlien and Son's to buy my own badge. It was identical to the one pictured above. It cost $8.00 It had "N.J" on the bottom panel. The bad news is I gave it away. That's another story, and I probably won't tell you about it.

Back to the career. I wasn't sure what I got myself into. The Probation Officer job paid (in 1965) more than a teacher, so I went for the money - $6200 per year. In addition to my salary I got .08 per mile. I was expected to use my "slightly" used Studebaker Lark to do the Court's Business. Thank God for "Peter O." He took me under his wing and trained me well. Regarding expenses he taught me: "The minute your key goes in the ignition, that's one mile." Peter O. was King of the Expense Account. When he became a Chief PO in Iowa, I inherited his "crown."

"Peter O" was very good to me. He told me who was an ex cop in "our" department so I knew who to trust. He told me about his days as an East Orange Cop, where ironically, he was trained by Sam Fricke (my great uncle).

I learned fast! Soon I had a new 1966 Chevy S/S (with the "probation interceptor" economy V-8 engine). It was good on gas. It was great on long trips. That's where I could get the most on .08 per mile. Occasionally I "got lost" (a trick I learned from "Peter O"), which added to the expense account.

By 1969 I found a "better job" with the schools in Warren County. I left under good terms. I started my new job in September. It was a good month. We purchased our first new home in Belvidere, NJ. The following September was also a good month as my daughter Cheryl was born - Sept 4, 1970.

The "better job" wasn't as good as expected. About 6 mos. after Cheryls' birth I left to go back to being a Probation Officer. There was no "initial interview" with Jimmy Ryan this time. It was just a phone call to my last Assistant Chief, and a quick "OK" from: Chief William F. Mulligan. I settled in for the next twenty plus years. Of course I had to buy my own badge again. That was an early seed for my interest in badges and becoming a collector.

In the early 80's I "acquired" Badge number 14. It was last assigned to William F Mulligan who was now retired. Today it is on display in my Den. That badge brings back a lot of good memories.