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The land which is now North Bergen was first settled by the Dutch in the early 1600's under the auspices of the Dutch East India Company. On October 26, 1661, the Village of North Bergen was incorporated as part of old Bergen Township. This township became the first municipality in the territory which is now the State of New Jersey. North Bergen officially became incorporated as the Township of North Bergen on April 10, 1843 and its boundaries have not changed since the year 1900.

Although an organized peace force known as "roundsmen" existed in North Bergen during the early 1900's, their powers were limited and members only patrolled the township in the evening hours. By 1920, the population of North Bergen had increased considerably and the need for a dedicated police force had become a necessity. An ordinance to establish a day and night police force was introduced on December 6, 1923 and was adopted on December 20, 1923 by Mayor Charles J. Morris and the board council.

The original ordinance called for a Chief of Police, a Captain of Police, four (4)Lieutenants of Police, three (3) Sergeants of Police and forty-one (41) Patrolmen. According to the ordinance, duties the police department were "to repair serious fires, riots or tumultuous assemblages occurring within the township, to save and protect property, and to arrest or cause to be arrested such persons as may be violating laws, disturbing the peace or inciting others to do so." A patrol officer's starting salary was $2000.00 per year while the Chief of Police made $4000.00 per annum.

The North Bergen Police Department currently has 123 sworn law enforcement officers and services over 50,000 residents, visitors and workers. The Department has been served by seven Police Chief's over the course of nearly a century.

North Bergen Police Department - Chief's of Police

1. James Nolan
2. Leonard Marcy
3. Charles Steinel
4. John Schlicht
5. George Lehman
6. Angelo T. Busacco
7. William F. Galvin, Jr. (Current)

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