HIRING NOTICE: Class III Special Police Officer
The Berkeley Heights Police Department is accepting applications for the position of Class III Special Police Officer. The Class III Special Police Officer, under the direction of the Chief of Police, shall conduct school safety and security duties within the Township of Berkeley Heights school district.
Minimum Qualifications:
The applicant must:
- Be a resident of the State of New Jersey during his or her term of appointment to this position.
- Be able to read, write, and speak the English language with reasonable proficiency and possess a High School diploma or equivalent.
- Be sound in body and of good health, which must be certified by a physician licensed to practice in the State of New Jersey.
- Be of good moral character and must not have been convicted of any offense involving dishonesty as would make the applicant unfit to perform his or her duties.
- Be a retired law enforcement officer less than 65 years of age who served as a duly-qualified, fully-trained, full-time police officer in any municipality or county of this state, or as a member of the State Police, and was separated from that prior service in good standing within 3 years of appointment to this position.
-The applicant must be physically capable of performing the functions of the position in accordance with the Police Training Commission (PTC).
-The applicant must possess a NJ Police Training Commission Basic Police Officer Certification or NJ State Police Academy Certification.
-The applicant must possess a valid New Jersey Driver’s License.
-The applicant must successfully pass a background investigation.
-Applicants successfully passing the first phase will be subject to oral interviews.
-Any applicant offered a conditional offer of employment will be required to pass a medical examination, psychological evaluation, and drug screening.
-Preference may be given to retired police officers who previously served as a School Resource Officer (SRO), Juvenile Officer, or D.A.R.E/L.E.A.D. Instructor.
-The Class III Officer shall work as assigned, while school is in session, to be determined upon hiring.
-The position will not receive health benefits, paid sick, personal, or vacation time.
The Township of Berkeley Heights is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants shall be given full consideration.
Applicants must submit a resume and application that can be found on the department’s website: Class III Special Police Officer Application
Application packages may be hand delivered or mailed to: Berkeley Heights Police Department, 29 Park Avenue, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922
Questions may be directed to: Sergeant Trent Fettes wfettes@bhpolice.org
* Deadline for submission of resumes & applications is July 23, 2021 *
Police Investigation of Multiple Motor Vehicle Burglaries Leads to Arrest
On June 5th, 2021 Michael Lyles of Mount Laurel was arrested and charged with seven counts of Burglary of a Motor Vehicle. That morning, the Berkeley Heights Police Department took multiple reports of motor vehicle burglaries in the area of Cambridge Drive and Holly Glen Lane. Patrol Officers and Detectives canvassed the area, and used the RING Neighborhood App to communicate with local residents for video. A nearby resident provided video footage of a suspect attempting to burglarize their motor vehicle. Officers Natalie Santillo and Daniel Schafer identified the suspect in the video footage as Lyles. Detectives interviewed him at Police Headquarters, where he admitted to the seven motor vehicle burglaries. He was processed and released later that day pending a first appearance in court.
The information provided herein may not represent the total scope of police activity. Any charges as a result of a police investigation are merely accusations, and any defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Berkeley Heights Police Respond to Criminal Mischief at Snyder and Columbia Parks
On May 15 BHPD responded to a report of criminal mischief on Hamilton Avenue. A homeowner reported that a large group of juveniles had kicked in multiple panels of his fence, causing damage. They fled the area prior to police response.
On May 19, BHPD was dispatched to lower Columbia Park, where public works employees had observed criminal mischief involving damage to park benches. The benches had been broken in half and a pile of burned trash and leaves was left amongst the debris near the hockey area.
On May 20, contractors working on the new turf baseball field at Snyder Park reported an area of turf near home plate that had been set on fire and damaged. The matter is under investigation.
The Berkeley Heights Police Department is excited to join Neighbors by ring.com. We hope to connect with residents on the platform and also improve the safety of our community. Neighbors allows you, the user, to share photos, videos, and information related to local public safety and crime so that fellow residents can stay informed. You do NOT need a ring device to join Neighbors. It is a free app and can be downloaded on any smartphone.
The BHPD Community Policing Unit will be continuing the popular “Coffee with a Cop” program next Tuesday May 25th 2:00 to 3:00 pm on Kline Blvd. Stop by and meet us!
Investigation by BHPD Leads to Arrest of Suspects Involved in North Road Residential Burglary
On the night of March 27, 2021 a residential burglary occurred on North Road near Emerson Lane. While BHPD Detectives were processing the scene, an iPhone was recovered that did not belong to the homeowner. Detectives applied for a search warrant to examine the device. After obtaining the warrant, the device was examined by the Union County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Task Force. Information obtained from the iPhone was critical to what became a significant multi-jurisdictional burglary investigation. The investigation ultimately led to the arrest of Keith Perry, 38, of Teaneck; Kay Brown, 23, of Paterson; Porsche Brown, 29, of Lodi; and Gregory Lewis, 37 of Teaneck. All suspects have been arrested; Perry was located and arrested in North Carolina.
Information provided herein may not represent the full scope of police activity. Charges as a result of police investigations are accusations, and any defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Missing Persons, Brush Fire & 'Coffee With a Cop'
On April 22 Berkeley Heights Police received a report of a missing adult suffering from Alzheimer’s who had left home in his vehicle and did not return. A town-wide SMART 9- 1-1 message and social media alerts were issued. Detective Frank Mea successfully located the individual in Elizabeth with the assistance of NJ State Police and he returned home safely.
On April 23 a BHPD Officer working a detail observed a brush fire on the property of 300 Connell Drive. The fire spread quickly over more than an acre of brush beyond the capability of police equipment. The Berkeley Heights Fire Department was dispatched and extinguished the fire.
On April 24 a business owner in the Springfield Avenue business district reported illegal dumping of debris on his property. Officers were able to develop a suspect utilizing vehicle descriptors and charges are pending.
The Berkeley Heights Police Department’s Traffic/Safety unit will be increasing enforcement of the 25 MPH speed limit on Murray Hill Boulevard due to resident complaints. Motorists are reminded that residential neighborhoods are always 25 mph unless otherwise posted.
The BHPD Community Policing Unit will be continuing the popular “Coffee with a Cop” program next Thursday May 11th 2:00 pm on Lenape Lane. Stop by and meet us!
Keep Your Doors, Windows Locked
On April 28, 2021 Berkeley Heights Police responded to a report of a stolen BMW X5 from a driveway on Lee Lane. Utilizing residential video, Investigators were able to determine that a vehicle let a passenger/suspect out on the property at approximately 5:30 AM. The suspect pushed up an unlocked window and entered the home, taking a purse containing the key fob.
The modus operandi is similar to recent incidents in other communities in which suspects have entered homes seeking key fobs. Residents are encouraged to lock all doors and windows and report suspicious activity to police.
Berkeley Heights Detectives ultimately recovered the BMW in North Brunswick along with a Porsche stolen separately out of Long Branch. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with further information please contact the Berkeley Heights Police Department at (908) 464-1111.
Suspect photos and video link here
Traffic Stop by BHPD Reveals Suspected Stolen iPhones in Berkeley Heights
On 3/31/2021, Berkeley Heights Police Officers responded to a suspicious vehicle following a delivery truck. Shortly after officers received the information, Officer Daniel Schafer observed a vehicle matching the description and conducted a motor vehicle stop. After conducting a brief investigation with detectives, the three suspects were found to be in possession of multiple stolen iPhones. These phones were in their original shipping boxes and had been delivered to the porches of their owners. The occupants were subsequently arrested for Receiving Stolen Property and Possession of False Government Documents.
The information provided herein may not represent the total scope of police activity. Any charges as a result of a police investigation are merely accusations, and any defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
On 04/01/2021 Khidhar Woodard of Plainfield, NJ was arrested for unlawful possession of a handgun. His arrest was the result of an investigation lead by Detective Sergeant Frank Mea. During the course of the investigation, DSG. Mea recovered a stolen handgun that Woodard had unlawfully possessed. The handgun recovered had been reported stolen in the state of Georgia. Woodard was transported to the Union County Jail where he awaits a hearing.
The information provided herein may not represent the total scope of police activity. Any charges as a result of a police investigation are merely accusations, and any defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Berkeley Heights Man Arrested for Criminal Sexual Contact and Endangering Welfare of a Child
On Thursday, March 18, 2021 Berkeley Heights Police Detectives arrested Jason Hunter, 35, of Berkeley Heights after a thorough investigation. Hunter was charged with Criminal Sexual Contact and Endangering the welfare of a child.
After being taken into custody, Hunter was transported to the Union County Jail to await a first appearance and detention hearing scheduled to take place in Union County Superior Court.
The information provided herein may not represent the total scope of police activity. Any charges as a result of a police investigation are merely accusations, and any defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.