More Officers Added To Bernards Township Police Force

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Two additional full-time police officers have been added to the force in Bernards Township as part of Bernards Township's continued focus on public safety due to the recent spike in crime.

The Township Committee unanimously approved an amendment to an ordinance to increase the number of patrol officers from 21 to 23.

"Crime is up all over our region, all over our country, and our Bernards police department is really the best in the business. We are supplying them with additional resources based on their needs including additional law officers, additional technical equipment, etc," said Committeeman Andrew McNally.

The Police Department will now consist of no more than a Chief of Police, one Deputy Chief of Police, four Lieutenants, seven Sergeants, four Corporals, and 23 patrol officers and Detectives.

This addition to the police force is part of the Township Committee's 2024 budget which included new funding for:

• 2 additional full-time police officers - $215,000
• Police Department salary and wage increase - $205,000
• Accelerated patrol car fleet replacement(adding 3 patrol cars) - $150,000
• Capitol funding for 11 license plate reader cameras and the associated software - $40,000
• Continued funding for body-worn camera program - $15,000

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