‘Year Of Unprecedented Change:’ Long Valley’s Police Chief

LONG VALLEY, NJ — As Washington Township moves forward into 2022, its police chief thanked residents, businesses and groups, while looking back at all of the extraordinary circumstances local police faced in 2021.

Calling the year “one of unprecedented changes in terms of policy and legal revisions, procedural updates, Attorney General Guidelines and county directives,” Washington Township Police Chief Jeffrey Almer wrote in a special message to the community that heading into 2021, the department was initially understaffed. Outside of COVID absences, after two new officers joined the force, the department has stayed at full staff, Almer said.

“COVID has become a way of life now, and something that we continue to talk about, and truthfully are tired of hearing,” Almer added. “Hopefully in the upcoming year, it will fade, be classified as an endemic and we can move on without it overshadowing all that we do.”

There were a number of training opportunities, he said, which included: “Use of Force, Pursuit, De-Escalation, Resiliency, Marijuana Reform, as well our own internal requirements that we promoted to keep us on top of our game.”

The police department, in spite of COVID, carried on to train more than 300 in 2021 in the areas of CPR and bleeding control, programs that were sidelined previously in the pandemic, he said.

They also held their first "Coffee With a Cop" event since COVID arrived, the last in 2019.

The body camera program is something the department is aiming to have up and fully running by the start of 2022, he added.

“While the officers already have car cameras and body mics, they are looking forward to the new system as experience has proven, the video will show what the officers go through and will continue to show their professionalism and how really great they are at what they do,” Almer continued.

• The Washington Township Police Foundation
• The Moreno Family and their annual car show
• The DeCillis Family and the yearly picnic for officers
• The Junior Women’s Club with their community outreach promotion help and support overall.
• Robert Vicci’s family for spearheading the Jiu Jitsu training program for officers
• Coffee Potter, Orts and Dunkin’, among businesses, for support
• The First Aid Squad and all fire companies for working alongside of the officers to take care of the community
• Community groups like Post 1776, schools and others

“When my guys are struggling over the call they just went on, the tragedy they just witnessed and had to handle, or the violent interaction with some criminal who tried to do everything they could so my officer wouldn’t make it home after their shift, knowing the community supports them helps tremendously and puts meaning to all they endure,” he said.

“The way everyone in this town comes together is a testament to everyone who works, lives, and volunteers here,” Almer added.

“As we enter into a New Year, I hope everyone can take a moment,” he continued. “Say a prayer for those who are out there working day and night to protect and take care of the community, from police, to fire, to rescue, to our military, and then say another prayer for those who never made it home from their tour of duty, regardless of the profession.”

“I hope that all of you can have a happy and healthy 2022,” said Almer. “We remain here, ever vigilant, to serve and protect you. My officers are second to none, and the pride I have in them, the department, and the job they do is without measure. They truly are the best and you can feel safe with them on watch."

"Blessed are the peacemakers,” he concluded.

Read his full message here.

Questions or comments about this story? Have a local news tip? Contact me at: jennifer.miller@patch.com.