Rochelle Park Police Department

Rochelle Park Police Department Chief Dean M. Pinto
151 West Passaic Street
Rochelle Park, New Jersey 07662
(201) 843-1515 Non-emergency
9-1-1 FOR EMERGENCIES

History of Rochelle Park Police

The Township of Rochelle Park was originally named Midland Township though to avoid confusion with Midland Park, changed its name on November 5, 1929 by a vote of 503 to 69. The police department was first established in 1907 when the first ordinances were established to control traffic which was increasing within the township. Paul M Thiem became the first Police Chief and had seven part-time police officers. Prior to this time a special constable would enforce the laws of the Township along with the Bergen County Sheriff. During the 1920’s Rochelle Park Police was headquartered in the back room of a corner store at the intersection of Rochelle Ave and Chestnut St and used a motorcycle for patrol. In 1925 a Dodge Touring Car was purchased for the police department and Rochelle Park (Midland Township) became the first community in Bergen County to patrol by automobile. In 1927 Rochelle Park (Midland Township) added three patrolmen who worked in shifts from 8:00 am to midnight. No patrols were maintained during the night. The patrol car had a radio receiver, but no way to transmit messages back to headquarters. Over 100 years after the police department was first established, Rochelle Park Police has increased in size to a total of 22 full time Police Officers, 4 full time and 3 per diem dispatchers. The police department patrols 24 hours per day, 7 days per week on rotating 12 hour shifts. Though the times have certainly changed since our first Chief Paul Thiem patrolled the streets of our township, the goal to protect and serve our residents remains the same.

** Historical Information obtained from the Township of Rochelle Park website http://rochelleparknj.gov/History/History.htm**

09/13/2026

Folks, RPOEM is continuing to monitor the rain. Most of the heavy bands of rain, are starting to leave our area. However, residual urban flooding may be noticed for the next few hours. Please remember this is urban flooding only which means it’s the accumulation of water when high-intensity rainfall or snowmelt generates runoff faster than local drainage systems can convey it. You may also see the Saddle River and Sprout Brook exceed its banks, but not to the extent that it will enter people’s homes.
Please continue to avoid the areas with known poor drainage. This is Berdan street as of 11:00 am.


Tonight, at the township’s 9/11 Memorial, a remembrance service was held in honor of those who lost their lives 25 years...
09/12/2026

Tonight, at the township’s 9/11 Memorial, a remembrance service was held in honor of those who lost their lives 25 years ago today. Thank you to the American Legion Post 170 for organizing the service as they do every year.

We Will Never Forget.

While Rochelle Park, New Jersey, does not have any documented residents who were killed in the September 11 terrorist at...
09/11/2026

While Rochelle Park, New Jersey, does not have any documented residents who were killed in the September 11 terrorist attacks the township shares deep, historic connections:
• Father Mychal Judge (1933–2001): The renowned Franciscan friar and New York City Fire Department (FDNY) chaplain previously served at Sacred Heart Parish in Rochelle Park. He rushed to the World Trade Center on September 11, where he was killed by falling debris in the North Tower. He is officially recognized as "Victim No. 1," the first certified fatality of the attacks.
• Firefighter Richard “Bruce” Van Hine (1953-2001): a former ambulance corps. member, enlisted Navy member who was a firefighter at West Point from 1986-94 before moving on to the FDNY. On 9/11, he would perish with five other members of his Bronx/Harlem Squad 41 while trying to save people in Tower Two. Bruce lived in Rochelle Park through grammar and high school.
• The Rochelle Park 9/11 Memorial: The town honors all victims and Bergen County residents who perished with a dedicated 9/11 Memorial at Midland School on Rochelle Avenue. Local police and first responders hold annual wreath-laying and remembrance ceremonies at this monument and at the American Legion Post. (Tonight 6:30PM)
• Cantor Fitzgerald Recovery Site: Following the devastating loss of 658 employees at the World Trade Center, investment firm Cantor Fitzgerald kept its business running by decamping to a temporary computer data center and recovery facility located in Rochelle Park. Surviving employees worked around the clock in this building to handle trades and preserve the company. (Now The Delford property on W. Passaic St.)
It’s been 25 years, so let’s all take a moment to pause, reflect and re-commit to the sense of ONE NATION and pride in being an American that we saw post 9/11 and recognize the work done daily by our volunteers and employees in town who help us enjoy our small town and help keep it clean and safe; our Fire Department, DPW, Office of Emergency Management / CERT, Recreation and of course the members of your Rochelle Park Police Department, through their everyday professionalism, courage, integrity and service to all residents and stakeholders.
Township of Rochelle Park

As the new school year gets underway, we’d like to give a shout out to our School Resource Officer at Midland School, SL...
09/10/2026

As the new school year gets underway, we’d like to give a shout out to our School Resource Officer at Midland School, SLEO III Joseph Katsock, who is returning for his second year at Midland! We look forward to another safe & productive school year. Thank you for your service to the students of our town!

We hope everyone had a safe & fun summer! Happy Labor Day!
09/07/2026

We hope everyone had a safe & fun summer! Happy Labor Day!

We hope everyone has a safe & fun weekend! Overnight parking is suspended from tonight until Tuesday night in observance...
09/04/2026

We hope everyone has a safe & fun weekend! Overnight parking is suspended from tonight until Tuesday night in observance of Labor Day.

School is back in session! We would like to remind everyone to take extra care on the roadways, especially in school zon...
09/02/2026

School is back in session! We would like to remind everyone to take extra care on the roadways, especially in school zones, for everyone’s safety.

Hey football fans! The Rochelle Park Police Honor Guard had the privilege of marching at tonight’s Giants & Jets preseas...
08/28/2026

Hey football fans! The Rochelle Park Police Honor Guard had the privilege of marching at tonight’s Giants & Jets preseason game at MetLife Stadium. Looking sharp, gentlemen!

Township of Rochelle Park

Residents,As many of you are already aware, starting September 1st, our department will be integrating within the Bergen...
08/27/2026

Residents,

As many of you are already aware, starting September 1st, our department will be integrating within the Bergen County Public Safety Operations Center (PSOC) system for our dispatching/call-taking services. We have included some helpful information in the attached graphic regarding this transition.

Beginning September 1st, a push button & camera system will be fully active and ready-to-go in our lobby that ties in directly to the PSOC in Mahwah. If you need to speak to someone regarding any issue, just push the button, and a call-taker at PSOC will answer & speak to you about your concern/question. If a police response is needed, they will dispatch us to the headquarters lobby to meet with you. Otherwise, as always, call 9-1-1 for emergencies OR our main line at 201-843-1515 for all other police-related matters. It is important to note that our main line will continue to be maintained & operated by personnel at PSOC as well as our 9-1-1, and any calls made to either line will still reach us as they always have. Simply put, if you need us, we’ll still always be there.

Our officers & administration have been attending trainings & working with PSOC personnel directly, so we are confident that this transition will be as seamless as possible.

Your safety & quality of life is, and always will be, of paramount importance to us. This transition is simply a step in a new direction with the same outcome of us serving you, protecting you & continuing to provide the best police services that you all deserve.

- The Rochelle Park Police Department

Address

Rochelle Park, NJ

Telephone

+12018431515

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