Our Community Oriented Policing policies and programs are based on collaboration between police and our citizens in non-threatening and supportive interactions.  These interactions include efforts by police to listen to citizens, take seriously the citizens’ definitions of problems, and solve the problems that have been identified.  Program goals include improved citizen esteem toward the police, improved police attitudes toward citizens, more effective police service as defined by the police, and more effective service as defined by citizens.  Focus is on problem identification, analysis, and utilization of systematic problem solving techniques, together with a strong community partnership, as a means to achieve more effective long term solutions to persistent crime problems.

Our objective is to obtain a favorable attitude between the police and citizens with encouraging a willingness to work together cooperatively, with improving neighborhood stability and race relations.  Educating and assisting community business leaders in crime prevention by implementing an action plan to meet community needs.

The department’s Community Oriented Policing Unit which was established on September, 1991 is an effective partnership with the community.  This was accomplished by conferring with community leaders in the areas of business, professional groups, social service agencies, religious and civic organizations, and non-law enforcement city agencies.  These organizations in joint cooperation with the Community Oriented Policing Unit have repeatedly demonstrated their willingness to donate time and resources in support of our Community Policing programs. 

The Community Oriented Policing Unit continues to develop programs that will maintain effective partnerships within the community.  The Crime Prevention bureau is currently run through the Community Oriented Policing Unit.

The National Night Out is a Community-Police awareness event designed to increase awareness about police programs in the community, strengthen neighborhood spirit and the police-community partnership, and send a message to criminals, letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and are fighting back. Residents & businesses are asked to leave their lights on throughout the evening.  The National Night Out is usually held the first Tuesday of August.

For more information, please call 201-858-7888.

The Bayonne Police Explorers Program created many years ago by Det. Leo Smith is a community service, career-oriented program designed to educate young men and women, ages 14-20, about Law Enforcement.

Exploring reaches out to Bayonne’s young adults to help build up relations between the community and the Bayonne Police Department. Police Explorers are taught the importance of higher education, self discipline, and respect for authority while they actively participate in community service projects and other Police Exploring events.

The positive interaction of Police Explorers and Law Enforcement Officers help young adults see officers as real people, and affords opportunities to build positive relationships between the Bayonne Police Department and the community.

For more information about the Bayonne Police Explorer’s program please contact the Cops in Schools program at 201-858-5856

The Bayonne Police Department in partnership with the Simpson-Baber Foundation implemented the Project Lifesaver Program in an effort to provide enhanced support and assistance to Bayonne residents who are primary caregivers for an individual suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia disorder as well as families of children afflicted with Down syndrome, autism, traumatic brain injuries or cognitive impairments.

These individuals might be prone to wander away from home and become confused or lost. Project Lifesaver allows for a proactive response by the Bayonne Police Department if this happens. This not only saves time and manpower but also, gives caregivers and families peace of mind and reassurance that all possible resources will be utilized in the effort to locate and return their loved one home safely. Participants in the Project Lifesaver program wear a special wrist bracelet equipped with a small transmitter which emits a signal that we can track when someone goes missing. Search times have been reduced from days and hours to minutes.

For further information about the Project Lifesaver program, you can contact the Bayonne Police Department by calling 201-360-7706 or by clicking here.

The Cops in School Program was designed to bring police officers from the Bayonne Police Department into the school classrooms. Numerous topics were covered including 911, bike safety, and drug and alcohol education. New, and more current subjects, have been added to the curriculum. These include bullying, gun safety, and violence awareness.