The North Bergen Police Chief Robert Dowd gave officials a tour last week of the newly-renovated police headquarters at address, which include a Crime Prevention Center, CCTV (video screen) area, and a new break room for officers. The renovations were officially finished last month.
The updates were fully funded by forfeiture funds, collected from criminal or drug busts. The updates cost roughly half a million dollars, according to Dowd. “With no payment from the taxpayer,” Dowd said.
Dispatchers work in the CCTV area, which is filled with monitors and computers. The dispatchers monitor the live, around the clock video recordings of streets and buildings around town, like parts of Tonnelle Avenue, and answer emergency calls.
“Some residents have called about something suspicious,” Dowd said. “We can see it on the cameras, and sometimes it’s nothing.”
“We have to invest in public safety. If not, then people won’t feel safe, and they will not want to live here.” – Mayor Nicholas Sacco
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“We have to invest in public safety,” Mayor Nicholas Sacco said. “If not, then people won’t feel safe, and they will not want to live here.”
The Crime Prevention Center is a large meeting room with a projection setup for presentations and numerous live video recordings. The room was once a courtroom, but is now used on a daily basis for department meetings.
Dowd said the old break room was extremely small for any officer to enjoy their breaks comfortably. “It’s hard for an officer to eat in their car,” Dowd said. “We want to treat our employees good.”
Officials spoke of more improvements hoping to come.
“We want the very best equipment,” Dowd said. Some could include medical or water life-saving equipment. “We’re also looking at promotions.” According to Dowd some promotions include captain, six lieutenants, nine sergeant promotions, and a few more.
Department wins accreditation
The department and Board of Commissioners recently held a ceremony to celebrate their 100 percent achievement for accreditation by the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police.
In order to become accredited, the whole department must be tested on 105 standards set by the Law Enforcement Accreditation Program, regarding the best professional practices in each area of police management, administration, operations, and support services.
The standards address administrative, personnel, operations, investigative, and arrestee/detainee/prisoner handling. The department will keep the status for three years, but must complete yearly proofs to show they are keeping up with the policies.
NJSAP Manager Harry Delgado spoke at the Township Commissioners meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 9 to present the department with a plaque for the 100 percent compliance for their accreditation, what he said is a rare achievement.
Chief Dowd also mentioned the department did this without hiring an outside agency to help pass, which ordinarily would could cost the taxpayers more than $50,000.
According to Dowd, the only other accredited police departments in Hudson County are Harrison and Secaucus, and all others are actively seeking to be accredited.