SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ — Somerset County has earned national certification for its Child Abduction Response Team, a designation county officials said reflects the county’s preparation for missing child and child abduction investigations.
The recognition was marked during a certification event hosted by the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office on June 17, at 40 North Bridge St. in Somerville.
According to the county, representatives from the AMBER Alert Training and Technical Assistance Program, which operates through the National Criminal Justice Training Center and the United States Department of Justice, traveled to Somerset County to present the certification.
The county said the designation followed nearly a year of planning, training, evaluation and interagency collaboration.
A major part of the process took place in October 2025, when the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office partnered with the Bridgewater Police Department, Somerset County Sheriff’s Office, Somerset County Office of Emergency Management, Somerset County Search and Rescue, Somerset County Communications, and the Somerset County Park Commission.
The agencies conducted a large-scale child abduction mock exercise at Duke Island Park, according to the county.
The county said the simulation tested how well the region could coordinate resources, communicate effectively and respond quickly during a critical missing child investigation.
The exercise was used to evaluate Somerset County’s readiness to respond in a real child abduction case.
"This certification reflects the dedication, preparation, and collaborative spirit of our law enforcement and public safety partners," said Commissioner Director Shanel Y. Robinson. "Knowing that our county has a highly trained and nationally certified Child Abduction Response Team provides reassurance that every available resource will be mobilized to bring missing children home safely."
With the designation, Somerset County joins what the county described as a select number of agencies in New Jersey to receive CART certification.
The county said the recognition places Somerset among agencies acknowledged for child abduction response and investigative preparedness.
The Somerset County Board of Commissioners also thanked the agencies and individuals who took part in the effort.
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