Message from Chief Rabboh

3/20/2020

The Bergenfield Police Department has been working tirelessly with the Mayor & Council, local, State and Federal Health agencies during the current COVID-19 health crisis. These are challenging times but we will get through this together. Be assured that you will continue to receive the highest quality of service and professionalism from our officers.

There are a few changes that we are implementing to our normal procedures. We are seeking your help with these changes in order to safeguard the health of all our residents and the Borough’s first responders.

If you and/or a current or former member of your household is displaying any signs of a respiratory illness to include fever, cough, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, please notify police dispatch when you call so that our officers can utilize the proper Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) when responding to your home.

Officers have been instructed to maintain social distancing as much as possible and will keep a 6-foot interview distance from everyone. This is in accordance with recommendations given by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) which is the same universal precaution that is being recommended to the public as well.

For calls for service that do not jeopardize public safety or do not require immediate assistance, we are asking you to call the Police Department at (201) 387-4000 instead of responding directly. The Police Dispatch will then notify an officer who will contact you by phone to gather pertinent information to complete an Investigation Report. You will receive a case number and the officer’s name for future reference.

Furthermore, overnight parking restrictions will remain suspended until March 30^th so there is no need to call the police desk to report your vehicle. As a reminder, please park your vehicles in a manner that would not obstruct the passage of any emergency vehicles.

On behalf of everyone at the Bergenfield Police Department, thank you for your anticipated cooperation during these difficult times, and, we wish you and your families all of the best.

___________________________________

Chief of Police
Mustafa Rabboh

HIRING Part-time Records Clerk

Seeking a Police Department’s Records Clerk for a part time position to work Monday through Friday from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm. Salary range is from ($31,361.69- $38,858.16) No medical benefits are offered with this position.  Must be a U.S. Citizen who is organized, self-motivated, detail oriented and have the ability to multi-task. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to data entry, filing & archiving, general office duties and administration, daily interaction with public and records management. Must be computer literate. Experience in Local Government a plus, but not required. This position requires the handling of confidential and sensitive information and will require a full and thorough background check for the successful candidate.

Applications can be picked up at the Boro Administrator’s Office, Monday through Friday, from 9am-4 pm. All applications must be returned to the Boro Administrator’s Office no later than August 2, 2019.

Chief Cathy Madalone's farewell

Friends,

It is with a heavy heart I bid Bergenfield farewell.  I have been your chief for almost 4 years.  From day one I made community policing my number one platform.   In that time we have accomplished great things together.   I can't express how beyond proud I am of the men and women of the BPD.  We were named the 4^th safest city in the United States by Neighborhood Scout in 2019. 

I believe that feat was in large part due to Bergenfield Police Department’s commitment to community policing. We formed partnerships and worked together to reduce crime and the fear of crime.  We brought back the chaplain program,  we created an amazing youth police academy, we attended functions,  events, played basketball, ran through sprinklers,  had snow ball fights,  and were always there to talk to, to lean on, in both good times and bad. We created a community that was inclusive even though our demographics screamed differences.   We broke down barriers and worked together.  

I would like to thank the members of the mayor and council, the Borough Administrator, and all of the Borough Department heads for their support of me and the Police Department.  Without their help, our success would have been much more difficult to accomplish.  

I will be bringing my community policing philosophy to Pacific Grove, CA along with my 25 years of experience from Bergenfield and law enforcement to their community and Police Department.  I look forward to becoming a part of their community as I did in Bergenfield on day one, back in August of 1994.  I am excited for my new venture and already feel welcomed from their staff and community. 

If I named every member of our community that impacted me, this letter would turn into a novel.   I will just say each and every one of you hold a special place in my heart and I am eternally grateful. Individually, you know how you impacted me.

I leave you in great hands with the members of BPD and my administration.  DC Massey and Captain Rabboh both shared in my vision of community policing during my tenure as Chief.  DC Massey was born and raised in Bergenfield and Capt Rabboh did as I did and became part of the community by getting involved. 

This opportunity is bittersweet.  I was honored to be your first female officer, and first to attain every rank including becoming first chief in a Bergen County municipality on Sept 1, 2015. 

A great leader makes a place better than they received it and hopes that those who follow will continue on that path and make it even better.   I hope I exceeded your expectations during my time as your Chief

Thank you all, I wish all of you nothing but the best.

Warmest Regards,

Chief Cathy Madalone

2019 Police Youth Academy Update

Good morning all,

 

Hope everyone is doing well. Parents have reached out to me in regards to eligibility for returning kids. As you may be aware, we have revamped our selection process to give kids who have never participated in the program the first opportunity to register. There are currently 15 spots remaining.

I understand this is disappointing to many but keep in mind the purpose of the program. I cannot thank you enough as you guys are ultimately responsible for its success. 

 

Due to the limited number of spots available (15),  I am requesting you to respond back to me with your child's name only if you're interested. The return email must be received by noon time Monday 4/29/2019. Any emails received after that time will not be considered.

 

Upon tallying the number of cadets interested, and to be as fair as possible,  I will place all the names in a container and randomly pick the fifteen remaining spots. The selection process will be conducted on April 29th @ 6 pm in the court room for anyone who is interested in attending. The results will be emailed the following day to the parents whose kids were selected.

 

I realize that some of the parents on this email do not have any children that are eligible to return but would kindly ask you to pass along the information to anyone I may have missed. Thank you

 

The academy is from July 22-26.

 

 

Capt. Mustafa Rabboh
198 N. Washington Ave
Bergenfield, NJ 07621
mrabboh@bergenfieldnjpd.org
201-387-4000 ext. 4002

2019 Police Youth Academy

Police Youth Academy Applications will be distributed starting on April 4th, 2019 @ 9am, in the Borough Hall lobby (198 N. Washington Ave). Eligibility will be for first time Bergenfield residents who have never participated in this program AND who are entering the 6^th, 7^th or 8^th grade as of September 2019. For instance, if your child is CURRENTLY in the 5^th, 6^th or 7^th grade and has never participated in the program, your child would be eligible for an application. If your child is currently in the 8^th grade, or has already participated in the program, your child is not eligible.

Applications must be fully completed and returned no later than April 11^th @ 8 am to secure your child’s enrollment. Applications during this period are only for new cadets. Parents will only be able to take one application per child. No applications will be given for friends, neighbors, others as each application is numbered. Any new cadet not returning his/her application before April 11^th will be considered as a returning cadet and will not receive priority enrollment.

Upon confirming the number of new cadets registered and if any remaining slots are available, applications will be open to returning cadets on April 18th. More information will follow as the date nears. The number of applications available will be dictated by the number of new cadets signing up.

The academy is free of charge and will begin on Monday, July 22, and run through Friday, July 26, 2019

Bergenfield PD Re-Accreditation

PRESS RELEASE

Accreditation Assessment Team Invites Public Comment

(Bergenfield / Bergen County, NJ) A team of assessors from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP) will arrive on Monday, April 8, 2019, to examine all aspects of the Bergenfield Police Department policies and procedures, management, operations, and support services Chief Cathy Madalone announced today.

            “Verification by the team that the Bergenfield Police Department meets the Commission’s “best practice” standards is part of a voluntary process to achieve accreditation, a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence”, Chief Madalone said.

As part of this final on-site assessment, employees and members of the general public are invited to provide comments to the assessment team. They may do so by telephone or email.  The public may call 201-387-4000 x4012 on Monday, April 8, 2019, between the hours of 9:00 am and 11:00 am.  Email comments can be sent to mrabboh@bergenfieldnjpd.org

Telephone comments are limited to 5 minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with the NJSACOP standards.  A copy of the standards is available for inspection at the Bergenfield Police Department 198 N. Washington Ave., Bergenfield, NJ  07621.  Please contact Captain Mustafa Rabboh at 201-387-4000 x 4002. 

Anyone wishing to offer written comments about the Bergenfield Police Department’s ability to comply with the standards for accreditation is requested to email the Accreditation Program Director at hdelgado@njsacop.org or write the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission at 751 Route 73 North, Suite 12 Marlton, N.J. 08053.

The Bergenfield Police Department must comply with NJSACOP LEAP standards in order to achieve accredited status.  Chief Madalone indicated, “Accreditation results in greater accountability within the agency, reduced risk and liability exposure, stronger defense against civil lawsuits, increased community advocacy, and more confidence in the agency’s ability to operate efficiently and respond to community needs.” 

The Accreditation Program Director for the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police is Mr. Harry J Delgado, Ed.S.  “The assessment team is composed of law enforcement practitioners from similar New Jersey law enforcement agencies.  The assessors will review written materials, interview agency members, and visit offices and other places where compliance with the standards can be observed.  Once the Commission’s assessors complete their review of the agency, they will report to the full Commission, which will then decide if the agency is to be granted accredited status”, Harry J Delgado stated. 

Accreditation is valid for a three-year period during which time the agency must submit annual reports attesting to their continued compliance with those standards under which it was initially accredited.

The New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police through its New Jersey Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission is the legitimate authority and accreditation agency in the state of New Jersey. For more information regarding the Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission please write the Commission at New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission at 751 Route 73 North, Suite 12 Marlton, N.J. 08053 or email hdelgado@njsacop.org

Media Contact:

Captain Mustafa Rabboh 201-387-4000 ext. 4002 mrabboh@bergenfieldnjpd.org

BPD Salutes those who served: Veteran's Day, November 11, 2018

              The men and women of the Bergenfield Police Department extend their heartfelt gratitude to all veterans of the United States Armed Forces on this Veteran's Day for November 11, 2018. We salute and honor all those who have served this great country and thank them for their sacrifice, dedication and loyalty. Those veterans who make their home in the Borough of Bergenfield are especially remembered and honored by the officers, telecommunicators and civilian personnel of our police department.
And, to our own officers and personnel who have served, or their sons, daughters, fathers, mothers, sisters or brothers that serve or have served, thank you.
The following officers and 911 telecommunicators of the Bergenfield Police Department have served honorably in the United States Armed Forces:

 

Det. John Brown  

Det. Jon Sommer  

PO John Galarza

PO Marc Rispoli 

Sgt. Michael Dymek

PO Michael Legregni 

     Det. David Tortora       

PO Robert Mader

Sgt. Kyle Witty

PO Firman Masri 

PO John Hwang
PO Timothy Knapp
PO Eugenio Estevez
PO Christopher Brugger
Det. Rick Tauber
PO Andres Enriquez
PO James Warnet
PO Matthew Siemaszkiewicz
PO Jessica Hunter
PO Oscar Lopez

Telecommunicator Cathy Racas

Telecommunicator Robert Groezinger II