JCPD sees Historic Growth with 620 officers hired under Mayor Fulop as 34 new Recruits take the Oath of Office

Jersey City to Remember Detective Joseph Seals during Swearing-in Ceremony for newest Officers as JCPD Expands Police Presence, resulting in Decreased Crime and Increased Community Relations

JERSEY CITY – Mayor Steven M. Fulop, Public Safety Director James Shea, and Police Director Tawana Moody announce 34 new police officers will take the Oath of Office Thursday at 9:30 a.m. to expand the police department to 976 officers in total.  Under Mayor Fulop, a total of 620 police officers have been hired, growing the department from merely 769 officers in 2013 to the largest police department Jersey City has seen in decades. The administration has placed an emphasis on diversifying the ranks while enhancing public safety citywide.

“Over the last week, we’ve seen acts of true heroism throughout our police department during extremely dangerous conditions, all in an effort to keep our community safe,” said Mayor Fulop.  “We welcome these latest recruits and are thankful for the critical role they’ve already had over the last several days in assisting the police department as thousands came to Jersey City to pay their final respects to Detective Joseph Seals.”

The added officers will boost efforts to increase police presence and walking patrols, community outreach, crime deterrence, and diversity recruitment initiatives.  The Fulop administration has made diversity recruitment a focus, and as a result, nearly 70 percent of the new officers hired since 2013 have been minorities.

“Since we’ve expanded the number of police officers, we have been able to increase foot patrols where needed most and strengthen the relationship between community members and officers,” said Director Shea.  “While we have plenty more work to do, our efforts are already leading us in the right direction, resulting in historic decreases in overall crime citywide.”

During the graduation ceremony, a moment of silence will be held in honor of Detective Joseph Seals who was tragically killed in the line of duty on December 10, 2019.