The Essex Fells Police Department was conceived in 1903 and initially started out with two Marshalls who patrolled on foot. The first motorized patrol was begun in 1916 with the purchase of a motorcycle. A patrol car was purchased in 1921 and in 1927 our police cars were the first in West Essex to be equipped with a wireless radio to receive calls from the City of Newark. Calls received at police headquarters were relayed by telephone to Newark PD who would dispatch the cars to calls. The department's own two-way radio was installed in 1960 and Essex Fells began dispatching cars from headquarters. In 1957 equipment to provide artificial respiration with oxygen was installed in the patrol cars. Essex Fells Police have a tradition of being proactive and attempt to incorporate new technology and equipment in order to benefit the residents of Essex Fells and the community at large.
Currently the department consists of thirteen men and women. A Chief, Lieutenant, three Sergeants and eight officers. Officers are on patrol round the clock. All 9-1-1 and telephone calls are received at North Caldwell who then dispatches Essex Fells Officers to their calls for service.
Officer Scott Cohen meets with the sixth grade class for thirty-five minutes weekly over twelve weeks teaching the Too Good for Drugs program. Too Good puts Social and Emotional Learning to work through fun and interactive lessons, building the self-confidence young people need to make healthy choices and achieve success. Too Good programs promote positive, pro-social attitudes and behaviors, while fostering healthy relationships, resistance to substance abuse and conflict, and resistance to negative peer pressure and influence.
The Essex Fells Police Foundation is a charitable organization, created by concerned residents, which raises funds for the purpose of purchasing equipment and training for the Essex Fells Police Department.
These purchases enable our police officers to obtain equipment and training which the department would not be able to provide under its regular limited budget.
All complaints of officer misconduct will be accepted from all persons who wish to file a complaint regardless of the hour or the day of the week. This includes anonymous sources, third party, juveniles, and persons under arrest or in custody.