Prior to the establishment of a police department Constables provided law enforcement coverage for the Township of Pohatcong. Two of the first documented Constables for the township were Christian Rehfuss, who served until 1923, followed by Benjamin Transue, who reportedly wore the first documented police uniform and badge in 1934.
In 1952 the Township Committee created the Pohatcong Township Police Department and hired Constable Clarence Pyatt as the first Chief of Police. Chief Pyatt, who received $450 per year, was assisted on an as needed basis by two special police officers who were called to duty at a rate of $1.00 per hour.
In the late 1950’s until the mid 1960’s Stewart Willever served as Chief of Police for the township. In 1967 the township adopted an Ordinance formally establishing the police department while Robert C. Schaar was serving as Chief. The department spent most of the 1970’s in transition with several officers serving as either Chief or Acting Chief of the department. Those officers included Chief Greg Apgar, Acting Chief (Sgt.) Harry E. Smith, Acting Chief (Officer) James Flynn, and Chief Joseph Murphy.
In 1981 the Township of Pohatcong and Borough of Alpha merged their respective departments together creating the Alpha-Pohatcong “AL-PO” Police Department. The Chief of the combined department was George Duckworth. The two departments separated in 1986 with Robert Gara serving as Chief over the 6-officer Pohatcong Township Police Department.
Over the past 20 plus years the police department has had to progressively grow in order to efficiently and effectively provide for the law enforcement needs of the community. The department grew through the 1990’s to 9 officers. In October 2002, to present, Paul J. Hager has been serving as the township’s Chief.
To date the department has continued to grow, due in part to a 2004 Inter-Local Agreement authorizing the Pohatcong Township Police Department to provide police services for the Borough of Alpha. The Pohatcong Police Department has been serving the citizens of Alpha on a full-time basis since January of 2005. The department currently has 14 officers, 1 civilian employee, and 1 police K-9 named “Rocky.”
|
|
|
|
|
Our "Role Call" roster contains the names of those who have faithfully served the law enforcement needs of the township. Any corrections and/or additional information which you may have concerning our department's history or those who have served is welcomed and greatly appreciated.
|
|
|
|
