Caldwell Clears The Way For More Police Officers On Its Payroll

CALDWELL, NJ — The Caldwell Borough Council has given a final green light to an ordinance that increases the maximum number of police officers on the town’s payroll.

The council unanimously voted to pass Ordinance 1450-23 on second reading at their Nov. 21 meeting (watch the video here; discussion begins at the 1:25:00 mark).

The ordinance authorizes two more patrol officer positions on the Caldwell Police Department, for a maximum of 12.

As per the revised ordinance:

“The Police Department of the Borough shall consist of a Chief of Police, no more than one captain, no more than two lieutenants, no more than six sergeants, and no more than 12 patrol officers, to carry out the functions of the Police Department for the protection and promotion of the general health, safety and welfare of the residents of the Borough of Caldwell. Any position that is authorized herein shall be filled at the discretion of the Mayor and Council.”

Several council members spoke in support of increasing the maximum number of officers, saying that it may help to deal with excessive overtime, increase public safety and lighten the load for its existing officers.

The proposal comes in response to a police study that the council received earlier this year from The Ambrose Group. The study revealed that Caldwell police saw a 34.5 percent increase in calls for service between 2020 and 2022. Read the report online here.

“The CPD is presently experiencing a manpower shortage,” the study said.

• See Related: Property Crime Rates In Caldwells Remain Historically Low, FBI Data Shows

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