PARSIPPANY — Today is National Thank a Police Officer Day, and we offer a big Saturday Salute to all the law enforcement officers who keep us safe in Parsippany; in Morris County and in the State of New Jersey.

“A simple smile and a ‘thank you’ are all it takes to let police officers know their dangerous and demanding jobs are appreciated,” said Parsippany-Troy Hills Council President Paul Carifi, Jr. “We are humbly grateful for the thoughts, prayers, and encouragement you continue to give us as we protect and serve you 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We care about our communities, and it warms our hearts to see that care returned.”

“I think they deserve more than one day of recognition for all that. I think one of the first things my mother taught me when I was small was that if I got lost or was in trouble to find a police officer. We are taught that we can trust officers of the law. And we should. We shouldn’t tolerate anyone making a target out of them. They deserve our thanks for ensuring our safety at the jeopardy of their own,” said Parsippany resident Nicolas Limanov.

The recent targeted attacks on law enforcement officers have focused attention on how dangerous the profession can be. According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, law enforcement careers are consistently ranked among the ten most dangerous occupations in America, and they carry the second-highest injury rate of any line of work. The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund reports that during the last decade an average of 58,930 assaults were made on law enforcement officers each year resulting in an average of 15,404 injuries. An average of 149 officers are killed in the line of duty each year across the country.

According to the Officer Down Memorial Page, there have been 89 line of duty deaths for officers in 2015, with 26 of those coming since July.

So the next time you see a police officer, make sure you say “Thanks for keeping Parsippany safe.”

This is just one thing we can do to support our law enforcement officers. We all should take the time to do something today to express our appreciation for all they do.

The Parsippany Police Department is a Civil Service organization consisting of over 100 sworn police officers. The department is divided into four divisions: Patrol, Investigative, Support Services and Professional Standards. The Patrol, Investigative, and Support Services Divisions are each led by a Captain and supported by the following chain of command: Lieutenants, Sergeants, Patrol Officers and civilian personnel. The Professional Standards Division is comprised of a Captain and a Lieutenant.

The state of the art police headquarters building became home to Parsippany Police in November 2004. At nearly 33,000 square feet, the building offers more space, privacy and ease of movement than the former building which served as headquarters for 22 years.

Among its features are two private interview rooms for distraction-free interviewing of witnesses and suspects. There is also a private room solely dedicated for members of the Domestic Violence Crisis Response Team, a volunteer organization, where they can speak with victims of domestic violence in a warm, comfortable setting. This is the first of its kind in Morris County.

Evidence and storage lockers are in varying sizes and some of them are refrigerated for perishable evidence items. They directly access the office of the Property & Evidence Sergeant to ensure chain of custody.

The state of the art cell block is NJ Department of Corrections approved and is video and audio monitored. A fourth cell is generally utilized for female offenders and is separated from the cell block. In addition, there is a larger holding cell and a DWI processing room. A completely separate juvenile holding area frees officers from leading around youthful offenders who are monitored via one-way observation glass that connects with the Communications area.

The police “Sally Port” is a garage that is controlled from the Communications area and allows for prisoners to enter and exit the police vehicle in a secured area. Parsippany’s Sally Port accommodates two police cars and has two bay doors allowing for “drive through” capability.

The communications center of the Police Department is staffed 24 hours a day by civilian dispatchers and on-duty patrol officers. Their primary responsibilities encompass answering all incoming emergency calls with a 9-1-1 enhanced system as well as all other calls that come into police headquarters for police, fire and ambulance. The communications area has the capability to talk via radio to all emergency personnel, township departments and other police agencies statewide.

PARSIPPANY — Three men have been charged in an alleged scheme after authorities said they brought a loaded handgun and counterfeit money to a $17,000 marijuana and cocaine transaction that turned out to be a sting in a Parsippany parking lot, according to an account in the Daily Record. Daniel Godfrey, 23, of East Orange, Shayne…