Rockaway Borough seal

1 E. Main St.
Rockaway, NJ 07866
973-627-2000
boroughclerk@rockawayborough.org


police cars in front of police station


Rockaway Borough Police Department

Message from the Department

Due to the ongoing situation and in an effort to keep our officers available to deal with any emergencies, we have instituted the following protocols:

Headquarters will be open during the week from 8 AM until 4 PM. We strongly recommend that citizens call the non-emergency number at police headquarters, 973-627-1851, before coming to headquarters for any reason. If we are able to assist you without making you leave your home, all the better.

Reports will be emailed out or faxed by request, by contacting our office, Monday- Friday from 8 AM - 4 PM.

Please keep all your unused medications until the situation returns to normal. Please take care to properly store and secure them during this time.

While our overall goal is to reduce the amount of unnecessary person to person contact, please rest assured that you can count on the same professional response to any emergency call that you have come to expect from the Rockaway Borough Police Department.

Please remember to follow all guidelines of the CDC and the health department. We truly thank you for your cooperation and understanding during this difficult time. We hope that you all stay healthy and well in this difficult time.

All the best,
The Rockaway Borough Police Department


The Mission of the Rockaway Borough Police Department is to work harmoniously with all citizens to create and augment a work environment with mutual respect, trust and dignity. We will protect the lives, property and rights of all people; proactively address social issues that create the opportunity of crime and to be sensitive to the needs of the community. With unwavering faith and honor, we continue to demonstrate our commitment to the safety and posterity of our community. Our core values in pursuit of our mission are:

  • SERVICE - by providing quality service and protection to all people in an efficient and competent manner, tempered with courtesy, compassion, and understanding.
  • INTEGRITY - to uphold the public trust through honest, consistent, and forthright interaction with all people in order to foster an atmosphere of mutual trust and cooperation.
  • RESPECT - by treating all persons with dignity and respect by promoting equality and fairness, in upholding the Constitutional rights of all people.

Department Press Releases

No press releases at this time.

Public Notices from the Department

No notices at this time.


Body Worn Cameras

It is the policy of the Rockaway Borough Police Department to utilize body worn video/audio cameras (BWC) and have contracted with Lenslock to assist agency personnel in the performance of their duties by providing an accurate and unbiased recorded account of an incident.

All personnel (sworn and civilian) shall use (including accessing recordings) this equipment consistent with manufacturer’s guidelines, Rockaway Borough Police Department SOP, and those policies or guidelines issued by the New Jersey Attorney General and Morris County Prosecutor’s Office. See NJ Attorney General Policy on Body Worn Cameras.

Lenslock Body Worn Camera Photos
front view of camera
angled view of camera
camera worn by police officer

Hours

The station house is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for accident and other reports.

Contact

The Rockaway Borough Police Station is located at 33 Maple Ave. map pin image with link to google maps
DIAL 9-1-1 IN AN EMERGENCY
For non-emergencies the phone number is 973-627-1314
The FAX number is 973-627-5036

Citizens can make non-emergency reports at: frontlinepss.com/RockawayBorough

Follow us: facebook icon. click to go to the police facebook page. | twitter icon. click to go to the police twitter page

Chief Pepperman cpepperman@rockawayboropd.org
Lieutenant Richardson crichardson@rockawayboropd.org
Sergeant Schwarzmann kschwarzmann@rockawayboropd.org
Sergeant Weischedel wweischedel@rockawayboropd.org
Detective Sergeant Gosden mgosden@rockawayboropd.org
Detective Koehler rkoehler@rockawayboropd.org
Patrolman Flynn dflynn@rockawayboropd.org
Patrolman Krowiak pkrowiak@rockawayboropd.org
Patrolman Kukan kkukan@rockawayboropd.org
Patrolman MacQuesten mmacquesten@rockawayboropd.org
Patrolman Nauen mnauen@rockawayboropd.org
Patrolman Gatica mgatica@rockawayboropd.org
Patrolman Platt dplatt@rockawayboropd.org
Patrolman Rettino mrettino@rockawayboropd.org
Patrolman Wickkiser bwickkiser@rockawayboropd.org
Confidential Executive Assistant William Craig wcraig@rockawayboropd.org

Crime Tips

In order for us to develop a team environment, we seek the input from our general public. Your tips can lead to the resolution of problem areas, which we may not be familiar with. If you have a crime tip, please contact us. Submit your crime tip at copcall.org. You can also call 973-COP-CALL (267-2255) or 1-800-SHERIFF (743-7433).

Detective Bureau

We maintain a Detective Bureau that has the primary responsibility to conduct follow-up investigations of all criminal matters. Detectives assigned to this division develop and maintain sources of intelligence information pertaining to criminal activity. Based on the information they gather, they also initiate investigations. Detectives review all criminal activity reported within the Borough and correlate information as it may pertain to open investigations.

The Detective Bureau works closely with neighboring police agencies as well as county, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. When necessary, they apply for and execute search warrants, maintain fingerprint and photograph files, and prepare cases for prosecution. The detectives are also responsible for storing and securing evidence relating to investigations and found property. Additionally, they perform other administrative tasks such as police applicant background checks, ABC license investigations, firearms applications processing, and maintenance of Megan's Law files.

Firearms

Resident wishing to obtain a Firearms Identification Card, Purchasers Permit, or having general questions may contact our Police Department at 973-627-1314 and ask for the Firearms Unit. Firearms applications are available from the New Jersey State Police website at njsp.org/firearms/forms.shtml. Bring completed forms to the police station and meet with our Firearms Unit to go over the fees and paperwork.

Speed Trailer

The Rockaway Borough Police Department actively responds to complaints of speeding and other traffic problems occurring within the Borough. If you believe there is a speeding or other recurring traffic problem on your street or in your neighborhood, contact us at 973-627-1851.

If the nature of your complaint pertains to speeding, we may setup a speed trailer in the problem area. This radar-equipped unit gives each passing vehicle a visual readout of its speed and reminds the driver of what the actual posted speed limit is. Many times, people simply do not realize how fast they are going and deployment of the trailer serves to heighten awareness thus helping to reduce speeding on the street in question.

Bike Patrol

The Bicycle Unit is part of our Community Policing Program. Bike Patrol Officers have been trained by the International Police Mountain Bike Association. Officers patrol the parks, lake, school, and wooded areas during the daytime. During the evening, the tavern areas and downtown locations are checked.

It is important for us to make sure we are prepared for any event and be able to reach locations quicker than an officer who is on foot, therefore, each bike is specially equiped for both day and night usage along with on- and off-road capabilities. We look forward to continue working with our residents, making this a safe community to live, work, and visit.

L.E.A.D.

L.E.A.D. is more than an anti-drug program, it is a combined effort between Police and Educators to teach our youth important lessons about the use of drugs. Information is presented by experienced law enforcement officers and the Rockaway Borough Police Department is committed to this invaluable program to help our children. Our agency has provided this service to our children since 1990 and will remain committed to working with the schools and parents while helping forge positive relationships between children and the Police. Veteran police officer Kevin Kukan is trained and will be in your schools.

School Resource Officer

Morris Hills High School has a capacity of approximately 1200 students during a daily session. This is the largest concentration of youth anywhere in the Borough and one in which our agency takes a proactive part in helping to foster a good education for our students. The School Resource Officer (SRO) takes a proactive role within the school, identifying concerns before they become issues. This strategy of prevention is an essential component of the program and one that is paramount to intervention. The daily interaction between the officer and students not only promotes positive relationships between youth and law enforcement, but also fosters an environment of trust—an important factor for kids who may find themselves in need of help at some point.

Officer Kevin Kukan is a veteran officer with specific training to handle this important function. Officer Kukan may be reached during the school day by calling Morris Hills High School at 973-664-2479 or calling the Rockaway Borough Police Department at 973-627-1851.

Child Seat Safety

The Rockaway Borough Police Department no longer does child seat saftety checks. Go to the NJ government website at nj.gov/lps/hts/childseats/childseats_newlaw.html for NJ child seat information.

Towed Vehicles

When retrieving a vehicle, bring the following items with you to the Police Department in order to obtain a vehicle release form:

  • Current vehicle registration certificate
  • Valid driver's license
  • Current insurance card for the vehicle

Recruitment Plan

Click here to view Rockaway Borough Police Department Recruitment Plan.

Copyright 2020-2024, Borough of Rockaway
Custom website design by JPerlee Design