Our township of Jackson, third largest in the state of New Jersey with over 100 square miles and approximately 55,000 residents, is very fortunate, in my view, to have within its borders a very dedicated and professional police force that should be recognized for their keeping us safe and being there 24/7, 365 days and nights a year.

The police department of Jackson had its beginnings back in 1946 and now 63 years later has grown in size and expertise to monitor and respond and service any and all of Jackson's needs requiring police intervention, intercession and action.

Commanded by Police Chief Matthew Kunz, there are 86 fulltime sworn police personnel, which includes active police on patrol, police detectives and special services officers, as well as back office and administrative staff to serve us and the township.

Some of the major responsibilities of the Jackson Police Department are to provide public safety, respond to calls for service, and help provide security for all township events and functions.

There is also a highly functional Traffic Safety Unit which includes traffic surveys, serious and fatal accident investigation, educational services and a safety inspection program for child car seat safety.

Under Chief Kunz's command are Capt. David Newman, who is in charge of the Uniformed Services Division, as well as Capt. Rick Ferrarelli, who is in charge of special training, and Capt. Chris Dunton, who is in charge of accreditation policy and development.

Among the many other services the Jackson Police Department provides is a child identification fingerprint program at no cost to township residents. There is also a Police Explorers program for township youth over the age of 14, teaching them discipline and law enforcement as they move toward becoming self-reliant on their own as residents of Jackson or wherever they may go in the future.

You can call the Jackson Police Department for more information on any and all of these programs.

The Jackson Police Department headquarters is at 102 Jackson Drive near the library and about a quarter-mile past the township municipal building off West Veterans Highway.

As Chief Kunz very clearly and very strongly expressed to me, the success of the Jackson Police Department rests greatly on its patrolmen, detectives, telecommunications support, records, back office personnel, and first line supervisors collectively.

As a resident of Jackson now going on five years, I am very proud of our police department for what they stand for, what they do, and hasten to say we are most fortunate to have what appears to be a most efficient, well-run police department to serve us here in Jackson every day of the year. It is indeed a true comfort as well, and they deserve everyone's praise and gratitude.

Michael Kaufman

Jackson