Bergen County is the capital of New Jersey for double-dipping by top county cops.  The sheriff and four of his undersheriffs rake in more than a half-million dollars a year in pensions in addition to their six-figure salaries.

Undersheriff Smith

That’s where New Jersey Watchdog found Double-Dipper #44 – Undersheriff Brian P. Smith – thanks to a timely tip from a reader.

Smith hauls in $218,000 a year – his $110,000 salary plus a $108,000 pension.  He retired at age 50 from the Paramus Police Dept. in 2005, then he was hired as undersheriff this year.

Sheriff Saudino

His boss, Sheriff Michael Saudino ranks first among double-dippers, raking in a whopping $268,000 a year.  Saudino, 59, gets a $130,000 pension for retiring as Emerson Borough police chief on Dec. 31, plus a $138,000 salary since taking office as sheriff the following day. 

Undersheriff Librie

 Undersheriff Steven Librie gleans $219,000 a year – $115,000 in salary and $104,000 in pension.  Librie, 50, retired as deputy police chief of Teaneck Twp. in August 2010, then was hired as undersheriff in January.

Undersheriff Colaneri

Undersheriff Robert A. Colaneri receives in $204,000 a year – a $110,000 salary plus $94,000 in pension.  Colaneri, 56, was hired as undersheriff in January 2011 after retiring from Carlstadt Borough in 2006.

Undersheriff Shortway

Undersheriff Harry Shortway Jr. gets $186,000 a year – his $110,000 salary plus $76,000 in pension.  Shortway, 72, retired from Ridgewood Village in 2001, then was hired by Bergen County as undersheriff in January 2011.

New Jersey Watchdog’s investigation found 44 top county cops – 16 sheriffs and 28 undersheriffs from 20 counties – who are collecting $3.25 million a year in pensions, plus their county salaries.  For full details, click here and here.

- Mark Lagerkvist