From the NJSACOP Archives … March
The New Jersey Police Chief Magazine | March 2024
1912
The first meeting of the newly established New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police was reported on in the Passaic Daily News . The article noted that a constitution and bylaws were duly adopted . The article noted that nearly fifty police chiefs attended the meeting , including Passaic Chief William Hendry , Lyndhurst Chief Michael McIntyre , East Rutherford Chief George McClellan , and Rutherford Chief George Burnham .
1918
Chiefs Monahan and Bimson
The Association noted the passing of one of the two organization ’ s founders , Trenton Police Chief John Cleary , as well as the retirement of two other important ‘ founding fathers ’ of the NJSACOP , Paterson Police Chief John Bimson and Jersey City Police Chief Frank Monahan .
1932
The NJSACOP Monthly State Chiefs Meeting for March was held at the Court House in Newark , NJ . Bergen County Police Chief Peter Siccardi then sought recognition to address the membership :
Chief Siccardi called attention to the fact that this organization is not recognized , due to the fact that we are not receiving the proper publicity , and cited every police department through the State , at this time , doing everything possible in apprehending those responsible for the kidnapping of the Lindbergh baby , but one or two departments were receiving the publicity attached thereto , and it was regularly moved , seconded and carried that the following resolution be adopted :
Charles Lindbergh “ Resolved that this organization go on record , sponsoring a 30 day leave of absence with , with full pay , to the officer or officers of any department that was responsible for the apprehension of those responsible for the kidnapping of the Lindbergh baby , and be it further resolved that a letter of condolence be sent to Col . and Mrs . Lindbergh and that they be advised of our actions taken at this meeting .”
1936
The March 12th edition of the Paterson News featured the fourth in a five-article series on the New Jersey State Police . This article focused on the “ Waterloo of many a criminal …” - the NJSP Bureau of Identification . The article noted that the Bureau is
Regarded by every police agency and department in the state as a monument of service to them in the classification and tracing of every lawless element . Of equal consequence is the non-criminal Persona Identification department which fingerprints law-abiding citizens to provide the only certain means of personal identification .
The article then traces the origin of the Bureau , and notes that it was “ organized just five years ago ” when the Legislature passed the present identification law “ at the reported instigation of the New Jersey Police Chiefs Association .”
1938
Both the Paterson Morning Call and the Courier-News provided extensive coverage of the March 1938 meeting of the NJSACOP , which was held at Seton Hall College in South Orange . The Courier-News noted that “ William A . Consodine , a lawyer of Newark and Maplewood , who during the recent was assistant to Lt . General Leslie Groves , head of the Manhattan Project , revealed the very important part the New Jersey Police Chiefs Association played in aiding the government in maintaining the security of the atomic bomb .” The report in the Morning Call added that Mr . Consodine also commended the Association for the important role it played in “ retaining and guarding ” the secrecy of the Manhattan Project .
Chief Peter Siccardi
An article in the March 3rd Courier-News announced the adoption of a resolution in support for a bill appropriating $ 465,537 to create a State Police radio system was adopted by the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police . NJ State Police Superintendent Mark Kimberling was quoted as saying “ the resolution adopted by the police chiefs was submitted to Governor Moore and leaders of the Legislature .”
William Consodine
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