Throughout the week, it was speculated that he would name Troy's chief of staff, Lt. Thomas Comey, at Friday's ceremony at the JCPD South District headquarters on Bergen Avenue.
For up-to-date results, see www.jerseycityreporter.com. Comey is a 25-year police veteran who was previously a detective and was once captain of the South District.
Troy announced at a Jersey City Police Department (JCPD) awards ceremony on Wednesday that he was retiring effective Saturday after 25 years on the force, with the last 22 months as chief.
Troy had been subject to criticism for a year since Jersey City's murder rate rose last year.
It had been rumored for months that Troy would step down by March 1, but Troy stayed a little longer to fight back against heavy criticism from the community, particularly from Ward E City Councilman Steven Fulop for last year's record 39 homicides and the rising crime rate in 2005.
When interviewed last week, Troy said he was proud of the strides that the Police Department had taken from the time he was named as the 37th police chief in the department's 177 years of existence in November 2004.
But he also said he had regrets.
"I wish I didn't spend so much time defending against false accusations that were detracting from our goals," said Troy.
Troy also said last week that he already looking to line up a new job as a confidential aide to Hudson County Sheriff Joseph Cassidy.'Parting is such sweet sorrow'
Troy sent out a farewell letter that is published on the letters page of this newspaper.
Troy listed his accomplishments, such as putting 166 new police officers on the force, implementing cameras in various parts of the city, and putting in place COMPSTAT, a police management system. COMPSTAT utilized the latest crime tracking technology along with constant meetings between police top brass and precinct commanders to focus on crime problems in each precinct.
"I believe this administration was very successful in fighting crime," said Troy in an interview last week. "And I also want to give credit for the accomplishments this department has made to my staff and to all police officers on this force for being so dedicated."
Troy said that's why he announced his retirement on Wednesday in front of his fellow police officers - to emphasize the "team" concept that was successful for the department.
In his letter, he also quoted Shakespeare's famous line from Romeo and Juliet, "Parting is such sweet sorrow." However, like the literary star-crossed lovers, Troy saw his share of tragedy during his term. Saw tragedies
There were the quadruple stabbing murders of the Armanious family in their Oakland Avenue home in January 2005, allegedly perpetrated by thieves who were captured. There were the stabbings of several members of the Wilson family in their Wegman Parkway apartment in September 2005, allegedly by a relative.
He also saw the Christmas weekend deaths of police officers Shawn Carson and Robert Nguyen on Christmas Day after their police vehicle drove off the Lincoln Highway Bridge into the Hackensack River.
"Mayor Healy got it right when he said that my term was just crisis after crisis, all these sad events talking place," said Troy.
Troy also defended himself against the criticisms toward the police department, and especially toward him by Fulop and residents who complained about not only about homicides but the increase in robberies, and other crimes last year.
"The crime stats in 2005, they had nothing to do with me," said Troy. "When I became chief, there were fewer police officers and we didn't same crime fighting initiatives we have now. Change is slow." From chief to aide
Troy said he has been in talks for some time with Hudson County officials about job there.
"I am 51 years old and I have no plans to retire and stay at home anytime soon," said Troy.
He said he'll know in the near future if he will be working as a confidential aide to Sheriff Cassidy, himself a former Jersey City police officer.
"I will be reviewing police policy and procedures and making suggestions to Sheriff Cassidy," said Troy. Hiring from the outside
Fulop's criticism of Troy led to Troy in a January interview with the Jersey City Reporter blasting Fulop, calling him 'Stevie'.
"As a public servant, Stevie Fulop has exhibited serious incompetence," Troy said in the interview. "I say that because he offers nothing as far as solutions go. He has never once in his short tenure as a junior councilman called [the police chief's] office."
Fulop said last week that he wished Troy "all the best" but would prefer if Healy did not replace Troy with "his closest friend" Comey.
"I think Mayor Healy should seriously consider conducting a nationwide search for a police chief rather than putting in someone who will only be here for the short term, and retire before the mayor's term is up." Ricardo Kaulessar can be reached at rkaulessar@hudsonreporter.com
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