Ordinance number 252 laid the foundation for the South Amboy Police Department in the 1920's. The police department had one headquarters for which all officers reported prior to, and after their tour of duty.
The hierarchy of the authority in the department was broken down as follows: Chief, 2 Desk Sergeants, Roundsman, Patrolman, and Jailors. The Chief was the "executive officer" according to the regulations. He was subject only to orders of the Mayor. The Chief had the power to suspend an officer, and with consent of the Mayor, terminate an officer. He had to ensure a twenty-four hour log was kept detailing events of the day. That information was to be disseminated to all officers by the desk sergeant. The Chief had to notify the Mayor prior to leaving the city.
The desk sergeant had control and charge of the station house. They were to keep a log of all noteworthy events that occurred during their tour. They were to advise the Chief of these events. They were in charge of all officers working under their command. They were responsible for the operation of the police telephone and signal box system. The health and welfare of prisoners was their responsibility. At all times a desk sergeant was to be on duty.
The Roundsman held the responsibility of first line supervisor. It was the Roundsman's responsibility to oversee all officers while they were out on their post. The Roundsman had to respond to all fire, burglary, and riot calls on any post and report the facts to headquarters. He would also have to check in with headquarters using the signal box as often as the Chief set forth.
The Patrolmen were assigned beats to patrol during their tour of duty. The emphasis was on physical security, making sure business doors and windows were secure. It was also their job to watch all "bad" characters. Their jobs encompassed checking on street lights, reporting any dead animals, documenting cases of contagious disease, and making note of any immoral women or men living on the earnings of immoral women.
South Amboy Police Officers had a wide array of responsibilities. They had to monitor elections, respond to all fires, ensure fire hydrants were clear, report all dead animals, check all doors, document all unoccupied houses, document cases of contagious disease, as well as monitor all bad characters.
Police were also kept busy with the effects of alcohol after Prohibition ended. Reviews of the South Amboy Police Department Arrest Log from 1935 show a total of 135 people arrested that year. The largest category of arrests came from drunk and disorderly conduct (72), followed by those stealing coal (10).
TECHNOLOGY
The South Amboy Police Department utilized four call boxes to keep in communication with the officers on their beats. These call boxes were affixed to telephone poles and had a blue light above it. If the light was lit, you knew to call in to headquarters. The police call boxes were located at (1) Broadway and Augusta Street, (2) Bordentown Avenue and Feltus Street, (3) Washington Avenue and Feltus Street, and (4) Ridgeway Avenue and Raritan Street.
In 1924, the South Amboy Police used fingerprints to identify suspects in a burglary. Police also utilized motorcycles to effectuate traffic enforcement. In 1925, efficiency again became an issue when motorcycle maintenance costs appeared excessive. Mayor Harold Hoffman cited $532.71 in maintenance and fuel costs as reasons for halting use of the motorcycles on patrol.
The South Amboy Police Department in 1937
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Research for this section provided courtesy of Jim Ryan
