Washington Township Officers Are ‘The Best Anywhere,’ Chief Shares

First responders are a vital part of our communities, keeping us safe and playing an integral role in daily life. Patch and T-Mobile have partnered on a Ride-Along series to showcase the important work these departments and individuals do every day.

We had the opportunity to speak with Chief Jeffrey Almer of the Washington Township Police Department to learn more about the department, life as a law enforcement officer and the impact of their work.

Can you tell us about the Washington Township Police Department?

Chief Almer: The department currently operates ideally at 31 officers, 28 working in patrol, the bureau and administration, and 3 as School Resource Officers.

The town is over 46 square miles, and we are what I call the western front for Morris County. We also have a shared service agreement with Califon, which is another square mile in Hunterdon County. Overall, the police department does pretty much everything you can think of — from calls for service, motor vehicle enforcement and accidents, first aid and fire calls, major incidents and literally everything in between. We always respond to everything so that the person calling has someone to assist them and guide them with whatever prompted their call for assistance. We are very community-oriented. We believe in taking care of our town and our residents and focus on that relationship.

What does a typical day look like for a law enforcement officer in Long Valley/Washington Township?

Chief Almer: This honestly depends on what unit the officer is in. For patrol, it involves working 6-6 shifts, which start with their morning briefing, then going on the road to do both proactive and reactive work. And the day of a patrol officer can be slow and routine, or crazy and non-stop. It all depends, and is one of the things that make the work so enjoyable.

For the Detective Bureau, their days fluctuate depending on case needs. They do follow ups, investigations and a lot of administrative work as well, such as backgrounds, firearms, Megan’s Law, evidence and so forth.

For the Command Staff (Lieutenants and up), their day consists of making sure the day-to-day functions seamlessly so the other officers can focus on doing their job on the front lines. This is very extensive and too much to list, but it ranges from scheduling, court, fleet, training, assignments, planning and so forth.

For me, I get to oversee all of it, 24/7. So needless to say, it stays busy and there are literally no days off. I often have to remind people that in law enforcement, there is no day off, no holidays and we can’t close because someone can’t work. We have to operate with no breaks, so keeping that running takes a lot of work behind the scenes.

Can you tell us a bit about your career and what inspired you to pursue this line of work?

Chief Almer: I began my career on August 1, 1995, and am completing my 30th year this summer. My father was a police officer, and he instilled in me the desire and drive to take care of people and to go out there, do what is right and get the job done.

I have had a great career, getting promoted to Sergeant in 2002, Lieutenant in 2015 then to Chief later in 2015. I have spent time in the bureau, but I have mostly been a road officer, as I enjoy being in the trenches where I believe an officer can really make a difference. I have had the privilege of working with the Morris County Prosecutor’s Special Enforcement Unit, and have been part of so many things within Washington Township. I am also a graduate of the FBI National Academy, Class 287. Law enforcement is one of the most amazing careers you can have, and it enables you to make a difference.

What do you enjoy most about being part of the Long Valley/Washington Township community?

Chief Almer: We have a great community [that] watches out for one another and believes in the town. They support the department and, in turn, we do everything we can for them. I also have to give a shout-out to my officers, who are the best anywhere. Without them, their dedication and commitment, we would not have the department or the relationships that we do. From my most senior officer to my most junior, I respect what they do every day and have complete trust and belief in them all.

Can you share a memorable experience from your time with the department?

Chief Almer: The hard part about this is that there are so many over my career. Some of my best memories are around my fellow officers and the comradery that is needed to be successful in this profession, as it is critical for everyone to have each other’s back. Some personal things I am proud of is that we were able to get our accreditation through the state, ensuring that the department is one of the best, adhering to all guidelines and best practices. We brought in School Resource Officers, and our training overall is more extensive than ever.

Like I said, I could talk for hours about things we have done and are going to do, and tell stories from the past. But I think just the experience of being an officer in this town for 30 years overall is what is memorable, and I am blessed to have been able to do it. Again, I love talking about police work, so my door is always open if anyone ever wants to stop by for a cup of coffee.

What advice would you offer to someone considering becoming a first responder?

Chief Almer: While the position is hard, you see a lot, and have to deal with a lot, there is no career that is more rewarding. When others are running away, we go in and get the job done. There is no greater feeling at the end of the day [than] to know you made a difference somehow, whether it was a simple call for help or arresting someone before they can hurt others. That takes a special kind of person. Yes, you work nights and see things others never will, but that is why first responders are special. And this not only applies to law enforcement, but to all first responders and emergency services. While police and others often take some of the harshest criticism, the truth is that society could not survive without them.

More About the Washington Township Police Department

The mission of the Washington Township Police Department is to “protect life and property, enforce the law in a fair and impartial manner, and to preserve the peace, order, and safety of the community.”

To further serve the community and best allocate resources, the Washington Township Police Department offers a citizens reporting portal, where residents can provide details of incidents that do not require an immediate response.

Additionally, the Washington Township Police Department participates in Project Medicine Drop. Residents are encouraged to drop off unwanted or expired household medications at the department’s drop box, after which medications will be safely and properly disposed of. This service is available 24 hours a day, and is completely anonymous and free of charge.

For more information, visit the Washington Township Police Department website.

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