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Attorney General Cary Edwards has filed a court brief in support of a political interference and harassment lawsuit Orange Police Chief Robert Sorge has filed against the mayor and police director. Under state law, Edwards maintains, "a chief of police must fuction as the executive of the police department" and municipalities cannot appoint subordinate police officers from the ranks and make them "superior to the chief." Mayor Robert L. Brown appointed Lt. Charles Cobbertt as police director on July 5, four days after assuming office, and the city council approved the action. Edwards' brief says "it is incompatible with the office (of a police chief) for a police officer to assume the duties of an appropriate authority." Sorge two months ago sued Brown and Cobbertt, contending he has been made the object of their "political interference in the workplace and political harrassment" ever since Cobbertt became his boss. Edwards, in the court bri...

Charles C. Cobbertt , 49, was appointed   police director   by the Orange City Council last night. Cobbertt becomes the   first black   to hold the position. Cobbertt, who replaces former Mayor paul Monacelli in the post, has been a member of the police department for 20 years. He began his career as a patrolman and rose to the rank of lieutenant. "I promise I will do all I can to bring honor back to this department." Cobbertt told the city council. "I'm sure he will bring the morale and unity back to the force that has been lacking for so long," said Council-woman Louise Corvino. The council awarded a contract to Bruno Associates Inc. of Bloomfield for an amount not to exceed $32,000 to solicit public funding for community programs. A public meeting regarding budget amendments has been scheduled for 6 tonight in the council chambers.

A judge in Newark has denied suspended Orange Police Chief Robert Sorge 's request to be reinstated while awaiting a hearing on charges of bribery, insubordination and conduct unbecoming a police officer. Supperior Court Judge Paul B. Thompson turned down both of Sorge's requests on Friday and denied the chief's request to name an acting chief to run the department while he awaits disposition of the charges filed against him Monday. "There's absolutely no basis for these allegations," argued Jerome Convery, Sorge's attorney, referring to the chief being accused of using an Orange auto repair shop's license plates on his private car between July 25 and October. Sorge "unlawfully borrowed (license) plates from a car dealer in town." It is "highly likely he conspired with a city businessman and personal friend of his" to get the plates, and he failed to even register the car with the state Department of Motor Vehicles until recently, c...

A crackdown against drug traffickers in Orange is continuing, according to Police Director Charles Cobbertt. He said 11 people, including a juvenile, were the latest to be arrested on charges involving possession and sale of cocaine. The arrests, made by members of the vice squad, the Essex County Sheriff Department's Bureau of Narcotics and the Essex County Prosecutor's Office, between Aug. 18 and Thursday, Cobbertt said. The director identified the suspects - all Orange residents except one - as Desiree Sutton, 27, of William Street and a 15-year-old city boy from Park Street. Both individuals were taken into custody at William Street and Glenwood Avenue. Sutton, who has no known occupation, was charged with possessing cocaine, selling cocaine and conspiracy to violate the state's narcotics laws. Cobbertt said the juvenile was charged with possessing cocaine and possessing cocaine with intent to distribute. Shawn Austin, 18, an unemployed High Street resident, was arrest...