Mendham Twp. Police Chief Retires, Search For Replacement Begins

MENDHAM TWP., N.J. – A changing of the guard has taken place in Mendham Township, and it involves the police department’s highest-ranking member.

Police Chief Steve Crawford announced his retirement this past week, which went into effect Wednesday, April 27. Lt. Ross Johnson is now the officer in charge.

Mendham Township Mayor Frank Cioppetini said Crawford and the township committee have been discussing the top cop’s separation for more than a year, and that “the chief felt now was the time to move on,” the mayor said.

“We want to thank him for 28 years of service,” Cioppetini said. “He’s done a very good job and the police department is in good shape.”

The mayor said there is no current timetable as to when a full-time chief will be put in place

Crawford came under fire in recent years for two separate incidents. First, in 2014, when he and his department were named in a lawsuit by a current officer for allegedly instructing police department members to profile drivers and passed over that cop for a promotion.

Crawford held a press conference outside the Ralston Fire House to clear the air and say his department had not done anything wrong.

The following year, in the summer of 2015, Crawford filed suit against former Township Administrator Amey Upchurch and other members of the township committee for alleged sexual harassment.