Bedminster Township Police Department

About the Bedminster Township Police Department

About

Bedminster's Police Department was established in 1942 shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor brought America into World War II. It started with just one full time officer who was supplemented by part time special police officers. By 1970, there were only four full time officers and police were not on duty at all times. It was not until 1980 that Bedminster was able to provide around the clock police protection. Today, police services are provided by an eighteen officer department which patrols Bedminster's 26 square miles of rural farmland, office buildings, estates, residential neighborhoods, townhouse and condominium developments.

Vision Statement

To be a Police Department that, through the use of best professional practices and transparency, provides public safety and law enforcement services in a personal and dignified manner.

Mission Statement

The Bedminster Township Police Department is a dedicated group of professionals who are committed to working with the community to make Bedminster Township a safe and desirable place to live, work and visit. Our mission is to collaborate with the community to solve problems, enforce the law, and improve public safety in a manner that is fair, impartial, transparent, and consistent.

Core Values

Communication and Cooperation: We will be accessible to community members and interact in an open and friendly manner. We believe all members of the community must work together and share information in support of our mission. We will seek to understand and work with all members of the community in furtherance of our responsibilities.

Concern for Employees: Our employees are our greatest asset. We will strive to assist our employees with their personal and professional development.

Partnerships: We will work with all members of the community, public agencies and private organizations in order to improve the quality of life and address issues in Bedminster Township.

Professionalism: We will conduct ourselves in a professional manner consistent with our training at all times. We hold ourselves to the highest level of integrity and ethical standards. It is our responsibility to earn and build on the trust of the community. We will be honest and truthful at all times. We are committed to and will persistently strive for excellence.

Respect for all Citizens: We will maintain respect for individual civil and constitutional rights, human dignity, and cultural diversity and community values.

Training: We recognize that training is the foundation that supports the actions taken by employees in the community. We seek to provide all employees with the necessary training to effectively serve the community. Procedures, equipment and tactics consistently evolve. We will continuously train employees to stay current with contemporary policing practices.

The Administration Division is comprised of the Chief of Police and Police Lieutenant. 

The Detective Division is comprised of 2 Detectives. The Detectives’ primary responsibility is to conduct follow-up investigations of all criminal matters. Detectives assigned to this division develop and maintain sources of intelligence information pertaining to criminal activity. Based on the information they gather, they also initiate investigations. They review all criminal activity reported within the Township and correlate information as it may pertain to open investigations. They work closely with neighboring police agencies as well as county, state and federal law enforcement agencies. They also maintain fingerprint and photograph files and they prepare cases for prosecution. The detectives are also responsible for storing and securing evidence relating to investigations and found property. Additionally, they perform other administrative tasks such as police applicant background checks and firearms applications processing. Detectives work in plain clothes and drive unmarked vehicles.

Patrol Division

The Patrol Division is comprised of 4 Sergeants and 10 Patrol Officers. The officers work 11 hour shifts to provide 24-hour coverage of the Township's 26 square miles. The patrol section is comprised of uniformed officers using marked patrol vehicles to answer emergency and service calls. The patrol section is responsible for preventive patrol activities, discovery of public hazards and delinquency causing situations, as well as for all initial calls for police, fire and medical assistance. The officers are responsible for the preliminary investigation of crimes, traffic enforcement, DWI detection and apprehension and drug interdiction. Officers enforce all applicable laws and arrest those that violate them. They are required to process those arrested, prepare written reports to document their actions and appear in court when required to assist in their prosecution. Officers are required to direct and control traffic, conduct traffic investigations, perform crime prevention activities as well as community and public relations. Officers also routinely perform business and vacant house checks. Patrol officers are also available to provide a wide range of miscellaneous services in order to better serve the Community.