Chief Brian R. Fitzgerald

590 Old York Road at Route 202 North

Branchburg, New Jersey 08876

Non-Emergency # (908) 526-3830

To E-Mail the Police Department, click here.

Branchburg Police Department was started on June 16, 1980.   The Department currently has 26 fulltime-sworn officers, 2 civilian employees, 7 crossing guards, and 13 Emergency Management volunteers.

The Department has specialized units comprised of officers who have taken on duties in addition to their patrol or detective work:

EXPLORERS PROGRAM:

Branchburg Police sponsors a BSA Police Explorers program to teach youths between the ages of 14 and 21 about laws, law enforcement, and police services.   They learn to become better equipped to handle life’s emergencies and to protect themselves. They meet every other Thursday 7:00pm to 9:00pm.  If your child would like to join, please contact Sgt. 1^st Class DeMatteo and P/O Kate Proscia.  Many of the Explorers later on become police officers, corrections, legal, rescue squad and fire dept. personnel.

SCHOOL RESOURCES:  

SGT. Burke is currently assigned to teach the D.A.R.E. curriculum in the fifth grade about drug and alcohol abuse. Safety issues are taught to grades K-4 about using 911 and Stranger-Danger!   The School Resource Officers make visitations to the Central School lunchroom to keep in contact with students, as they get older.  The officers also attend many other school functions: school dances, games, and plays.  This allows an open line of conversation between students/police officers in which students feel free to express their concerns and problems.  Officers also make visits to Midland School and other pre-schools in Branchburg Township. 

DETECTIVE BUREAU:

SGT. Burke heads this unit with Detectives Manuel Camunas and James Kennedy.  Detective Kennedy coordinates with daycares and pre-schools to identify and implement emergency operations plans for the best protection of all our children. 

The Detective Bureau also is involved in all juvenile issues and in Megan’s Law.  They are connected to the statewide Missing Child Alert System (Amber Alert).  This computer system allows us to quickly notify and be notified by police agencies in New Jersey about missing and endangered children. 

Child Seats:

P/O Donald Stewart and P/O Christine Auleta are certified in Child Safety Seat inspections.  Your child’s car seat can be checked to make sure it is securely installed, for recalls, and other safety issues with vehicle occupant protection.

 In addition, Branchburg Police Department offers residents Child Safety Cards.  These cards contain your child’s name and photo and Parent’s contact phone numbers.  This card is handy for grandparents, babysitters, and daycare professionals who watch over your child.  The card contains the pertinent contact information and has what to do if your child becomes missing. We can be contacted mon-fri 11am to 7pm @ (908) 526-3830.

Branchburg Police is now equipped with vehicle lockout tools to open cars that have children locked inside.  This was partly funded by private donations.

The National SAFE KIDS Campaign is the first and only national non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention of unintentional childhood injury.

BIKE PATROL:

The unit has officers that patrol areas of the Township, parks and woodlands that are inaccessible to patrol cars.  Bike Patrol officers with the Traffic Safety Unit also hold a bicycle rodeo to teach bicycle-riding safety, confidence and skills.  Sgt. Lambertson is in charge of the Bike Patrol unit.

FIRST-AID:

Our Patrol officers are trained and certified in First-Aid, Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), and Automatic External Defibrillation. We carry first-aid kits and Defibrillators in the patrol cars and respond to medical emergencies with the Branchburg Rescue Squad.  Three officers are trained Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) for more advanced care. We anticipate upgrading our defibrillators to facilitate our response for pediatric cardiac emergencies in 2005.

TRAFFIC SAFETY:

The Unit has three officers who are involved in all aspects of traffic safety: enforcement, road closures, and roadwork zone safety. Sgt. 1^st Class Brunson is in charge of the Unit with P/O’s Anderson and Kaczorek assisting him.

COMMUNITY POLICING:

Corporal Pasek is our Community Policing officer.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT:

Branchburg residents were spared from disaster this time, but were we really prepared? The time to prepare is now, long before the storms and other disasters occur.  Please check the links below for more information concerning Homeland Security and other information on preparedness.  
      

For citizens interested in becoming involved in Emergency Management, the township offers many opportunities to do just that. The Office of Emergency Management has begun a program of recruiting volunteers for its CERT Program. This federally funded program trains residents to help themselves, their neighbors and their community during disasters. Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) provides basic training in disaster survival and rescue skills to improve the ability of the citizens to survive until emergency personnel arrive. CERT teams have been used to search for lost or kidnapped children, staff Emergency Operations Centers and assist Red Cross and other relief organizations on mass care. CERT training consists of 20 hours of instruction over an eight-week period. We currently have 9 active members with 4 associates. For more information, please contact Sgt. DeMatteo, Coordinator, Office Of Emergency Management at HQ.

BURGLAR & FIRE ALARMS are required to be registered with the Department of Fire Safety.  This includes all residential and business alarm systems.  We request your assistance in managing your alarm to afford the protection alarms were designed for and more efficient use of your Fire and Police Services.  False fire/burglar alarms will be prosecuted according to Township Ordinances.  Registration forms can be picked up at the Municipal Building, Police HQ or online.

For a complete list of Police Department and public safety links, please visit our related links page by clicking here.

Other Phone Numbers:

Ø     Sexual Assault Support Services Women's Health and Counseling Center:(908) 526-7444

Ø     Richard Hall Mental Health Center: (908) 725-2800

Ø       Resource Center For Women and Their Families:  Emergency Shelter & 24-Hr. Hotline: (908) 685-1122 or 1-866-685-1122

Ø     The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children: The Nation's Resource Center for Child Protection, or call 1-800-THE-LOST.