Teaneck Police Department

Story

The Teaneck Police Department celebrated its 100th year anniversary on June 1, 2014. In May of 1914, Jesson Witham and William Jahnes were appointed as police officers. They were instructed to report for duty at 10 a.m. on Monday June 1, 1914. Thus on June 1, 1914, the residents of Teaneck had their first full-time paid police department which was to grow from this two man department into an authorized strength of ninety-six in 2014. They were further instructed to "preserve public peace, prevent crime, detect and arrest offenders, protect rights of persons and property, suppress disorder in public places, enforce ordinances, serve notices, papers, etc." In our current mission statement, the prose is somewhat different - it takes into consideration the value of working with our diverse community, but our core mission remains unchanged. The mission of the department today is "to safeguard the lives and property of the people they serve, to reduce the incidence and fear of crime, and to enhance public safety, while working with diverse communities to improve their quality of life. Members of the department are committed to the highest ethical standards and to providing public services with honor, integrity and respect."

The department is further charged with the prevention and solving of crimes. Their objective is to work in partnership with the community to achieve a high sense of security. The department strives to promote community partnerships and to elevate the level of public safety through public education, continuous training, technology, and law enforcement.

The Teaneck Police Department has received National Recognition from The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) and is Accredited by the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police. The department has an authorized strength of 96 sworn officers, including the Chief, and is divided into three divisions; Operations, Investigations, and Service. Additionally, the department has an authorized strength of 9 dispatchers, 6 civilian support staff members, 3 Parking Enforcement Officers, 25 school crossing guards, and 15 Auxiliary Police volunteers.

In 2013, the department received 56,180 calls for service, resulting in the filing of 8,174 police reports. The Teaneck Police Department is a 9-1-1 PSAP (Public Safety Answering Point). In 2013, 20,433 "9-1-1" calls were documented.

Police made 1,100 arrests, including 45 arrests for Driving While Intoxicted (DWI).

In 2013, members of the department drove approximately 428,242 miles patrolling township streets, issued 15,695 motor vehicle summonses, including 7,000 moving violations and 8,695 parking violations. Of those summonses, 346 were for violation of the Township's Snow Emergency Ordinance and 747 were for violation of the Cellular Phone statute.

Additionally, 1,502 accident investigations were conducted and 284 vehicles were impounded.

Mission

It is the mission of the Teaneck Police Department to promote and maintain order, to protect life, safety, and property and to enforce the law.It is the mission of the Teaneck Police Department to safeguard the lives and property of the people we serve, to reduce the incidence and fear of crime and to enhance public safety while working with diverse communities to improve their quality of life. We will do so with honor and integrity, while at all times conducting ourselves with the highest ethical standards to maintain public confidence.