Specialized Units
School Resource Officers
The Neptune Township Police Department and the Neptune Township School District have always maintained a strong working relationship, with shared goals of protecting our students, teachers, and staff throughout all of Neptune Township’s schools. Since we believe that a critical part of achieving this goal is to foster and build trust between the students and our officers, Chief Anthony Gualario and Superintendent Dr. Tami Crader are proud to welcome our School Resource Officers “back to school” for the new year!
While we have always assigned patrol officers to our schools, the School Resource Officer program ensures that the same officers are present daily throughout the year. This allows them the opportunity to interact with students and staff consistently, fostering trust, building positive relationships, and allowing them to protect our schools more effectively. For the 2025-2026 school year, the SRO’s will be SLEO III Raymond Nolte, SLEO III Felix Torres, and SLEO III Richard Schwerthoffer. All of our School Resource Officers are recently Retired NJ Law Enforcement Officers who have each completed more than 25 years of police service and have received countless hours of training in School Safety, Active Shooter, First Aid, and other training to ensure they are well-prepared to handle any safety and security concerns.
To all those in our community, please remember that we need your help to protect our schools! Parents, teachers, and all others are urged to report any concerns regarding school safety by calling 9-1-1 immediately.
Police Chaplain
Reverend Nancey Jackson Johnson (pictured, left) serves as the NTPD’s first official Police Chaplain. As a department, we are always seeking ways to build on the outstanding relationship we have with our community, and partnerships with Neptune’s faith-based leaders have been an invaluable asset in this mission. With over two decades of experience as an ordained minister and a respected community leader in Neptune Township, Rev. Jackson Johnson has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to fostering unity and understanding. Her efforts include organizing impactful events like the “Fight to Unite” walk and the “Love Rises” unity rally, bolstering police-community relations.
In her capacity as Police Chaplain, Rev. Jackson Johnson offers vital spiritual guidance during times of crisis, and extends compassionate support to both officers and the community, regardless of religious affiliation. Chaplain Jackson Johnson’s presence is instrumental in providing confidential spiritual assistance to our officers, especially following critical incidents or tragedies.
Bicycle Unit
In 2024, the Neptune Township Police Department proudly announced the creation of our first official Bicycle Patrol Unit. The NTPD’s Bike Unit is comprised of officers who patrol in pairs utilizing E-Bikes, which are outfitted with lights, sirens, and first aid equipment. The officers passed the rigorous Bicycle Patrol Training Course at the Monmouth County Police Academy, where they learned advanced riding and patrol techniques. These E-Bikes offer many benefits including increased maneuverability during responses in crowded areas, allowing for expanded patrol routes which increase visible patrols in our neighborhoods, and reducing fatigue in comparison to traditional bikes, which allows the officers to be better prepared to take action on foot when needed. “Our bike unit will not only deter crime but also foster positive interactions between officers and the citizens we proudly serve. This type of patrol has been so far successful as the officers are more approachable. This is part of our continuing effort to improve our community outreach with our community” said Chief Anthony Gualario.
The purpose of the Bike Unit is to conduct highly visible patrols and quick emergency responses, as well as being a part of our mission to provide increased interaction between our community and officers. The Bike Unit patrols throughout Neptune Township and can be found anywhere including residential streets, business districts, apartment complexes, school zones, coastal areas such as the Ocean Grove beachfront and Shark River, and anywhere else throughout town. During periods of inclement weather, officers assigned to the Bike Unit might also be seen in our recently deployed Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV) which has similar benefits of being able to easily travel through tight spaces as well as providing increased community interaction.
If you see our bike officers, be sure to give them a smile and wave, and feel free to stop them and discuss any concerns you might have in your neighborhood. Keeping Neptune Township safe is a partnership, and we can’t do it without the support and input of our residents!
In 2024, the Neptune Township Police Department proudly announced the creation of our first official Bicycle Patrol Unit. The NTPD’s Bike Unit is comprised of officers who patrol in pairs utilizing E-Bikes, which are outfitted with lights, sirens, and first aid equipment. The officers passed the rigorous Bicycle Patrol Training Course at the Monmouth County Police Academy, where they learned advanced riding and patrol techniques. These E-Bikes offer many benefits including increased maneuverability during responses in crowded areas, allowing for expanded patrol routes which increase visible patrols in our neighborhoods, and reducing fatigue in comparison to traditional bikes, which allows the officers to be better prepared to take action on foot when needed. “Our bike unit will not only deter crime but also foster positive interactions between officers and the citizens we proudly serve. This type of patrol has been so far successful as the officers are more approachable. This is part of our continuing effort to improve our community outreach with our community” said Chief Anthony Gualario.
The purpose of the Bike Unit is to conduct highly visible patrols and quick emergency responses, as well as being a part of our mission to provide increased interaction between our community and officers. The Bike Unit patrols throughout Neptune Township and can be found anywhere including residential streets, business districts, apartment complexes, school zones, coastal areas such as the Ocean Grove beachfront and Shark River, and anywhere else throughout town. During periods of inclement weather, officers assigned to the Bike Unit might also be seen in our recently deployed Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV) which has similar benefits of being able to easily travel through tight spaces as well as providing increased community interaction.
If you see our bike officers, be sure to give them a smile and wave, and feel free to stop them and discuss any concerns you might have in your neighborhood. Keeping Neptune Township safe is a partnership, and we can’t do it without the support and input of our residents!
UTV Unit
As part of our mission of enhancing public safety and community policing, Neptune Township Police Department has deployed a John Deere Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV). The UTV is utilized in a wide array of roles, including but not limited to:
- General patrolling of our business districts and parks throughout Neptune Township.
- Emergency responses in off-road areas including our parks, wooded areas, pedestrian trails, and coastal areas such as the Ocean Grove beachfront and Shark River.
- As part of community outreach efforts at parades, festivals, and other community events.
The UTV provides increased visibility and approachability in comparison to regular patrol vehicles, making the officers more approachable to members of the community they are encountering. The reduced size and increased off-road capabilities will allow officers to patrol more extensive and varied areas, increasing law enforcement visibility which acts as a deterrent to crime. This UTV is outfitted with police lights and sirens, and is clearly marked with Neptune Police lettering. Not only is it capable of traversing dangerous terrain that would be unsafe in a standard patrol vehicle, but it is also outfitted with a full street-legal package that includes all requirements for road-legal vehicles such as turn signals, headlights/taillights, and license plates. The UTV will be operated by properly trained NTPD officers, so be sure to give them a wave and stop them for a conversation as you see them out on patrol this summer!
