History

For many years Winslow Township neither had nor needed its own police department. The township was rural and practically devoid of crime except for the occasional chicken rustler or pumpkin thief. Many local farmers kept a few shotgun shells loaded with rock salt instead of lead shot for discouragement of such mischief. Particles of rock salt, provided a period of intense burning with minimal permanent damage and encouraged the offender to change his ways. Needed law enforcement was provided by the New Jersey State Police based in either the Hammonton or Berlin Barracks.

As the population grew, so did the need for local police protection and a part-time police department of special officers was created. School bus drivers were also sworn in as special officers and empowered to write tickets for errant drivers who ran afoul of school bus passing laws. In 1970 Winslow Township established a full time police department. The first police station was located on Central Avenue in the former Blue Anchor Elementary School. Today it occupies a portion of the Municipal Complex in Braddock on Route #73.

The Winslow Township Police Department has grown since these beginnings and has experienced more than enough tragedy during it’s brief existence. On June 12, 1994 Patrolman Daniel J. Calabrese Jr., a nine year veteran of the force, was killed in the line of duty. A black granite memorial dedicated to Patrolman Calabrese #95 exists at the Township Municipal Complex to remind us of the debt we owe to those who protect us.

The police department now has seventy-four sworn officers that protect and serve the community. Below are examples of different badges and photographs throughout the years: