Jersey City Police Officer's Benevolent Association

 The J.C.P.O.B.A. represents the Police Officers and Detectives in contract negotiations, grievances and manners pertaining to work conditions and officer safety.

The J.C.P.O.B.A. is a non-profit organization, The J.C.P.O.B.A. host several fundraising events for the good and welfare of its members and the citizens of Jersey City. These funds support scholarships and donations to various Jersey City programs. Our goal is to serve and protect our members and residents of Jersey City.

Jersey City Police Department

Mission Statement – Our Mission, Our History, Our Fallen  

The Jersey City Police Department has a rich history going back to the year 1829. This page is dedicated to the history of the Jersey City Police Department and it's fallen heroes.

January 28, 1820 -  was incorporated, although the area was still part of the  of BergenTownship and by 1829 had its first watchman.  This is an amazing fact because the British Parliament, in 1829, coined the word “police” and officially formed the first modern police department in London.  We can trace our roots back to September 5, 1661.  At this time, the Sheriff was commissioned; this was the first form of law enforcement in .  Prior to 1661, enforcement of the laws was administered from New Amsterdam (New York).New JerseyJersey City

May 4, 1829 - An act was framed for the appointment of watchmen; thus, in 1829, we have the first form of law enforcement under the corporation of .Jersey City

March 3, 1868 - The control of the Police Department was assumed by “the Jersey City Police District”.  The government and discipline of the police became vested and exercised by a Board of Police Commissioners, a Chief of Police and such a number of patrolmen, not exceeding fifty.

August 5, 1873 - Mounted police was formed

1900 to 1928-The Automobile - In 1928, the Jersey City Police Department took this giant step forward and like nothing else, this totally changed the shape of things to come.  From 1900 to 1928, we saw the introduction of telephones, electricity and other inventions into our police stations, but the auto was revolutionary and it was about to open up a whole new field of police work.   soon had a central location from where cars were turned out and dispersed to different precincts.  This soon was given the name of Motor Patrol. Jersey City

January 1, 1914 - The Department consisted of seven police precincts and the force numbered 508 men.  This, for the beginning of the century, was one of the largest police forces in the .  The city was growing by leaps and bounds and predictions were that  would be a city of three million people in years to come. Jersey CityUnited States

 May 24, 1924 - The Eighth Precinct was officially opened, located at Ege and West Side Avenues.

February 10, 1931 - The Emergency Squad was established with headquarters at the No. 9 Engine Fire House located at Duncan and Bergen Avenues.

November 1, 1947 - 100 World war two veterans appointed to the JCPD

December 1, 1953 - Closing of the Eighth and Third Precincts.  The Police Department was set up as follows:

Police Headquarters - 769 Montgomery StreetFirst  and Third StreetPrecinct - Newark AvenueSecond Precinct - Grove and Seventh StreetFourth Precinct - 576 Communipaw AvenueFifth Precinct - Ocean and Cator AvenueSixth  and Central AvenuePrecinct - Hutton StreeSeventhPrecinct - 769 Montgomery Street

November 19, 1954 - The new Fifth Precinct building was opened at , strategically located to provide better service to the people of the  area of the city.Greenville191 Bergen Ave

March 14, 1955 - The innovation of the Central Complaint Room at Headquarters was to be the first installation of its kind in the State of .  This was to provide for instantaneous police response to police calls of all types by electronically recording all complaints and immediately dispatching the necessary assistance.New Jersey

1957 - Establishment of the Academy Police Jersey City

1961 - The  Police Department tied its communication system into the State Police Teletype System to facilitate transfer of Motor Vehicle information.  This was a great asset for the radio car officer who could stay in the field and check motor vehicles.  This was a great time saver and stopped the practice of bringing motor vehicles into the Precinct and using the telephone. Jersey City

May 1962 -We see the use of a new two way radio system in patrol cars.

1968- The creation of the Community Relations Unit.  

1972 - Establishment of the Homicide Squad.  Numbering from ten to twelve officers, this unit became very well respected and had a high clearance rate.  The unit lasted until 1984, when it was dissolved and the men were sent to work for the County Homicide Squad.  Establishment of the Bandit Squad.  This squad was merged into the more modern Street Crime Squad. We also see a great new advancement in a system called 911, a system providing the public with direct access to the police radio room in an emergency for speedier dispatch of police cars.

January 19, 1973 - The Housing Security Bureau was established specifically to patrol housing developments.

February 4, 1974 - The Neighborhood Task Force was formed.  The force consisted of 40 police on lightweight motorcycles patrolling selected neighborhood areas. 

March 11, 1974April 4, 1974 - Police Headquarters was moved to8 Erie Street, giving the Department more room in keeping with the increasing roles assumed by a modern police department.

  - The Organized Crime Unit was established.  This unit consists of the Gambling Squad, Special Investigations Unit, and the Alcoholic Beverage Control Unit.

May 27, 1975 - The Neighborhood Task Force was reorganized into the new Special Patrol Bureau.

June 12, 1975 - The former police precincts were reincorporated into four administrative patrol zones to insure greater efficiency in administering the Police Department.

April 2, 1976 - The radio room at the new Headquarters modernized with computers tied into the    CenterInformationCrimeNational.  All working police officers now were assigned walkie-talkies, enabling response time to be cut to minutes.

January 1, 1979 - The Bureau of Criminal Identification was modernized with the ultra modern C.S.M.  Color Montage System and color photographic equipment was installed.  With this installation, the Jersey City Police Department is now equal to the top ranking police departments in the country.

May 4, 1979 - The celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the Jersey City Police Department.

January 1986 – The K-9 unit is formed.

November 1, 1987 - Jersey City Police academy moves to their new location at Caven Point.

March 1988 - First appointed Chief of Police Walter Adams appointed after Civil Service title of Chief was abolished.

June 1988 - Jersey City Police department reorganized. Prosecutor Paul Depasquale assumed the role as director in addition to his duties as Hudson County Prosecutor.

September 1992 - The East district began a pilot "Community Police Officer" program.

May 1997 – The Bicycle is introduced as a patrol vehicle.

September 11, 2001 – JCPD provides the support, care, and means for injured survivors of  CenterTrade tragedy to be transported to hospitals.  Hundreds on volunteer officers work tirelessly on rescue and recovery efforts in the weeks that followed.

October 14, 2004 - Celebration of the 175th Anniversary of the Jersey City Police Department.