Chief Thomas DeRosa, of the Clinton Township Police Department, is proud to announce the return of his agency’s Citizens Police Academy. The Department will host up to 20 participants over a 6-week period, from September 28, 2022 through November 2, 2022. The six sessions will take place each Wednesday, from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm at Annandale Hose Company, Station 1, 68 Beaver Avenue, Annandale. The program is free of charge to attendees.

The program, which enjoys great success across the country and internationally, is designed to give participants an understanding of select areas of operation of the Clinton Township Police Department and a working knowledge of what these aspects of law enforcement entail. The Department follows the philosophy of Community Policing and is committed to developing partnerships with the public. The Citizens Police Academy provides an excellent opportunity for the public to develop direct lines of communication with the police department. Areas of instruction include narcotics trends, K-9 demonstrations, cyber-security and identity theft, crime scene investigation, motor vehicle stops and other areas of interest.

Any adult, age 21 or older, interested in attending the Citizens Police Academy may pick up an application beginning July 15, 2022 at the Clinton Township Police Headquarters, located at 1370 Route 31 North, Annandale, NJ 08801, Monday-Friday, between the hours of 8:30 am-3:30 pm, or print out and complete the forms below. Preference will be given to residents of Clinton Township who are first-time applicants. Applications and Hold Harmless Forms must be returned to Police Headquarters by 3:30 pm, September 19, 2022. Please contact Det. Jennifer Petruzziello, jpetruzziello@ctpd.org or Ptl. Raffaella Vastola, rvastola@ctpd.org with any questions.

CHECK BACK FOR PRINTABLE FORMS BEGINNING JULY 15, 2022

Clinton Township Police and South Branch Emergency Services Announce

Clinton Township Junior Police & Emergency Services Academy

Annandale, NJ – Lt. Thomas DeRosa, officer in charge of the Clinton Township Police, and Chief Frank Setnicky, Chief of the South Branch Emergency Services, announce the return of the Clinton Township Junior Police & Emergency Services Academy.  The program will run from August 2^nd through August 6^th, 2021, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and is open to individuals age 12-16 who have an interest in learning more about the public safety career path.  Planned activities for the week include marching, light physical training, exposure to simulated police work, emergency first aid training, classroom time, guest speakers, presentations and field trips.  Applicants will be screened and preference will be given to Clinton Township residents.  There is no charge, however class size is capped at 30 participants; all applications received from qualified applicants well be processed on a first-come, first-served basis.  The application process will close on July 23, 2021 at 4:00 pm and participants will be notified of their acceptance thereafter.  Applications are available at the Clinton Township Police Department, 1370 Route 31, Annandale or online at www.ctpd.org, under the Community Notices tab.

To the residents of Clinton Township,

As you are undoubtedly aware, Governor Philip Murphy recently signed three laws which decriminalized marijuana, dismissed pending marijuana charges and set in place mechanisms to expunge/reverse previous convictions.  This action was expected and came as no surprise, since the majority of New Jersey residents voted to legalize marijuana in the State.  I, along with the officers of the Clinton Township Police Department, fully support the will of the people and the authority of the legislators in enacting these laws, as our Constitutional process dictates. 

However, the new legislation does contain some provisions that I believe may be of concern to parents. Therefore, I will outline the changes to the marijuana and alcohol laws, as they pertain to juveniles.  Going forward, when our officers now encounter juveniles, who are in possession of marijuana and/or alcohol, the following restrictions apply:

• The odor of marijuana and/or alcohol no longer constitutes “reasonable articulable suspicion” to initiate the stop of a person under the age of 21, and it no longer provides probable cause to search that person’s personal property and/or vehicle
• The unconcealed possession of an alcoholic beverage and/or marijuana observed in “plain sight” shall no longer constitute “probable cause” to initiate a search of a person under the age of 21, or that person’s personal property and/or vehicle to determine a violation of any law
• A person under the age of 21 who possesses marijuana and/or alcoholic beverages shall no longer be arrested, detained, or otherwise taken into custody, “except to the extent required to issue a written warning”
• For any person under the age of 21 who possesses marijuana and/or alcoholic beverages as a first offense, these new laws forbid officers to contact his/her parent or guardian to advise him or her of such

The Clinton Township Police Department has spent a great deal of time and effort to promote a healthy, safe, and well-protected community – especially for our children. The Department, and specifically our dedicated School Resource Officer and Juvenile Officer, have worked with our school districts to keep our students safe, keep our parents informed and provide access to educational programs to help juveniles make safe and appropriate decisions.  Despite the challenges posed to law enforcement by these new laws, we will find a way to navigate these trying, troubling times – and to find new, better ways to work with the community to ensure their safety and well-being.

Please remember, the Clinton Township Police Department is always here for you.  Our priorities have not changed – and will not ever change – even though our means of achieving them might.

To read more about marijuana legalization in NJ, click here.  For the NJ Attorney General’s guidance on marijuana legalization, click here.

Thank you all, and please stay safe, healthy and vigilant!

Lieutenant Thomas DeRosa

Officer-In-Charge, Clinton Township Police Department

Clinton Township Mayor John Higgins has published the following update regarding COVID-19: