Sheriff Cureton Consolidates Bergen County Sheriff’s Office 

Hackensack, N.J. –Bergen County Sheriff Anthony Cureton, announced today that an agreement has been reached to merge the Bureau of Police Services (formerly the County Police) into the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office. The agreement, which was signed on Friday, August 14^th, by Sheriff Cureton and the unions representing Bureau of Police Services officers (PBA49) and Sheriff and Correction officers (PBA134), completes the police realignment efforts that began in 2015.

Under the agreement, members of the Bureau of Police Services will become Sheriff Officers and join the ranks of PBA 134, creating one unified police force on the county level. The merger will allow for greater flexibility, improve public safety, and save taxpayers money. All the public safety responsibilities currently assumed by the Bureau of Police Services will continue to be met by the Sheriff Office. 

“Upon taking office, one of my first priorities was to reach an amicable and fair agreement to bring closure to the outstanding issues from the 2015 realignment. This landmark agreement puts the safety of Bergen County residents first and provides unity of purpose. I sincerely thank the leadership teams of PBA 134 and PBA 49 for their efforts throughout this entire process,” said Sheriff Anthony Cureton. 

Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco, the Bergen County Freeholders, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office agreed to realign the Bergen County Police Department under the authority of the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office as a measure to reduce duplication of services and share resources.  Since 2015, this move has saved residents close to $19,000,000 and over 25 years will save taxpayers over $200,000,000. 

“Bringing this to a conclusion is something that the members of PBA 49 has been waiting for.  We have proudly worn the patch of the Bergen County Police Department and we will now wear the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office patch with the same enthusiasm, as we become one of the premier law enforcement agencies.  We will continue to serve the residents of Bergen County professionally and efficiently.   I think I would be remiss if I didn’t say that the members of 49 are grateful that Sheriff Cureton negotiated with us fairly and in good faith.” Stated Chris Weston, President of PBA 49

“On behalf of the PBA Local 134 membership, I would like to commend Sheriff Cureton and his command staff for fairly negotiating this agreement.  This is a momentous occasion and we look forward to working together all as one. We are excited to continue making the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office the best law enforcement agency in the State of New Jersey. This agreement will enable the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office to provide additional services that will ensure more safety and security to the residents of Bergen County.” Stated Jordan Kalendar, President of PBA 134

The agreement is subject to ratification by the Bergen County Board of Chosen Freeholders and New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The Bergen County Board of Chosen Freeholders will vote to ratify the agreement on Wednesday, September 2, 2020.

Sheriff Anthony Cureton is a law enforcement professional and community leader with more than 28 years of expertise. Since taking office in November 2018, Sheriff Cureton has focused on issues including fighting the opioid epidemic via a new comprehensive initiative called Operation Path Forward, fostering stronger community relations among our seventy diverse municipalities in Bergen County, and reducing recidivism. Born and raised in Englewood, Cureton proudly served for 25 years as a police officer in his home town and after retiring served as the Director of Inmate Social Services/Education for the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office. He was the longtime president of the Bergen County Branch of the NAACP, served on Governor Murphy’s transition team as well as numerous boards of directors including those for the Calvary Care Afterschool Program, CarePlus NJ, and the Bergen County African American Advisory Board. He lives in Englewood with his wife, Natalie, and their two daughters.

The Sheriff’s Office is tasked with maintaining order and security at the Bergen County Justice Center, providing for the care and custody of inmates at the Bergen County Jail and assisting the county’s 68 municipal police departments by providing advanced forensic procedures through its Bureau of Criminal Investigation. The Sheriff’s Office provides patrol and protection of county roads, parks and critical infrastructure as well as assists local law enforcement agencies throughout the county. Additionally, the Office is responsible for process serving, writs, court orders, foreclosures and court executions.