Patrol Division

Due to Sheriff Fontoura’s acknowledged expertise in public safety matters, the Essex County Executive and the Board of Chosen Freeholders transferred what was once the Essex County Division of Police to the Sheriff’s Office on May 10, 1997.

In September 2006, the Division of County Police was fully merged into the ranks of the Sheriff’s Office and is now known as the Patrol Division.

Patrol Division officers are charged with the critical responsibility of patrolling and enforcing the law throughout Essex County which includes, but is not limited to, more than 6,000 acres of parkland and all county-owned and county-operated buildings and facilities.

The Patrol Division’s responsibilities encompass a wide range of incidents and calls to service including assisting all municipalities within Essex County when called upon. When not answering calls, the Patrol Division conducts proactive policing in order to maintain safety in Essex County.

Our volunteer, fully trained, non-paid Deputy Division augments the efforts of our Patrol Division officers in the field.

Patrol Division officers and volunteer deputies are invaluable assets to the safety and security of our parks, especially during the peak recreational months from April through October. During this period, our parks system hosts hundreds of thousands of patrons who enjoy a vast array of musical concerts, festivals, fairs, family picnics, reunions, athletic competitions, golf tournaments, zoo programs, ice and roller skating sessions and scores of community events.

As local residents will attest, Essex County parks, many of which were designed by world-class landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, are among our most cherished and treasured natural resources. With this in mind, our Patrol Division remains vigilant in providing a safe, secure and friendly environment at all times.