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The Borough of Garwood was incorporated in 1903. In 1906, the mayor and council decided it was necessary to create a police department. The mayor and council passed an ordinance allowing them to purchase six (6) handguns and six (6) pairs of handcuffs.These were distributed to the mayor and the members of the council so that they could
respond to calls for service within the community. These members were only part-time and were referred to as “Marshalls”.
In the 1920’s, the Garwood Police Department created a full-time police department due to the increased volume of calls for service and growth within the community. Albert Ashfield would become the first Chief of Police. The streets of Garwood were patrolled on foot and on a motorcycle. There were only six full-time police officers which eventually increased to ten in the 1950’s. During that time,officers were issued their department handguns at the beginning of the shift and thenwould turn them over to their relief at the end of the shift. In the history of the Garwood Police Department, there was only one officer shot in the line of duty. Officer Donald Legg was securing for the end of his shift and turning his handgun over to his relief, Officer Carmen Cusmano when they received a call involving
a landlord and a tenant on the 200 block of Locust Avenue. Officers responded to the residence and gained entry to the rear of the property. Officer Cusmano was armed so he went first through the door with Officer Legg directly behind him (unarmed). The second-floor resident opened the door and was standing with a long rifle aiming at the
officers. He fired at them hitting Officer Cusmano in the chest just above his heart. During the chaotic event, the suspect attempted to flee the area by entering the marked patrol vehicle out in front of the residence. At this time, Officer Legg called for assistance and rendered first aid to Officer Cusmano while retrieving his handgun. He
then began to pursue the suspect who was then fleeing the area in the marked patrol vehicle. Within a short distance, the suspect crashed the vehicle and exited where he started firing rounds at Officer Legg who returned fire striking the suspect. Officer Legg then took the suspect into custody. Both Officer Cusmano and the suspect survived
their gunshot wounds. From that day forward, officers were issued their own handguns
and they were allowed to take them home with them.
The current police department and municipal building was built in 1983. In the 1990’s the police department grew to sixteen officers due to the demand from the community. The Borough of Garwood is a growing community and the department needed to grow as well to meet the needs of the community. Today, we have eighteen full-time officers and four (4) civilian dispatchers. Garwood had an increase of rental properties and buildings that replaced older vacant factories creating an increase in the population. The Garwood Police Department has been experiencing an increase in the number of calls for service as well as an increase in motor vehicle traffic.
The Garwood Police Department is now an accredited agency certified by the NJSACOP Accreditation Unit. The Garwood Police Department is committed to providing the best service to the residents, commuters, businesses, and consumers. With the change of technology and the demands of state law, we are committed to
provide the best practices in law enforcement to keep everyone safe and protected.
GARWOOD
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Honor, Integrity, Service
An Accredited Law Enforcement Agency
403 South Avenue, Garwood, NJ 07027
908-789-1500
