MORRIS COUNTY — Four Morris County law enforcement agencies, including Parsippany-Troy Hills and six individual officers were among those honored by the New Jersey Attorney General for outstanding and innovative approaches to community policing.
Those honored during ceremonies at Rutgers University’s Livingston Campus were Lieutenant Paul Castimore, Detective Joseph Kratzel, Traffic Officer Rodger Davis and School Resource Officers Christopher Fabian and Joseph Hale from the Jefferson Police Department, Patrolman John Eckert of the Morris County Park Police, and the Parsippany and Roxbury Police Departments.
Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp said, “I am extremely proud of these Morris County law enforcement officers and agencies who were honored for their community policing work. We must be especially cognizant of the need for law enforcement to engage in such programs to maintain public trust.”
Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino said that community policing is far more than walking a beat.
“Rather, it’s an overarching strategy that depends on the collaboration between police department and community groups working together to identify and solve local neighborhood problems,” Porrino said.
That spirit was exemplified by the officers and departments that received honors.
The five Jefferson officers were honored for running an annual Junior Police Academy that introduces about 75 students from the ages of 11 to 14 to possible careers in law enforcement. The academy offers students interaction with the New Jersey State Police and teaches them about crime scene investigations.
Patrolman Eckert of the Morris County Park Police was cited for his involvement with the department’s Child ID Program, which provides parents with ID cards in case a child goes missing. He also assists with the department’s holiday toy drive and created the department’s Facebook page.
The Attorney General honored the Parsippany Police Department was honored for presenting a wide range of outreach events including crime prevention seminars, a citizens police academy, a social media presence and bicycling through neighborhoods to get to know residents in an informal setting
The Roxbury Police Department was honored for launching a community food program in response to a food shortage identified by the township’s social services department. Children donating food at headquarters get to meet an officer and to sit in a patrol vehicle.
