The first Summit police officer Pat McMahon was appointed in 1879. His duties included patrolling the streets of Summit on foot and lighting the many kerosene lamps around the city.
A second officer Bernard "Barney" Gannon was added in 1883, the population at that time was about five thousand. residents. By 1890 the number of officers increased to seven.
There were no radios or cell telephones to communicate with officers, for many years a tall pole stood in the center of town with a blue electric lamp atop. Should the uptown officer be needed the light would be lit, indicating that the officer was required to call HQ.
Today, officers have specialized skills and modern equipment, they undergo rigorous police academy training and are constantly trained and updated in any changes in the law. Summit Police officers are better able to serve and protect the community than ever before.
A second officer Bernard "Barney" Gannon was added in 1883, the population at that time was about five thousand. residents. By 1890 the number of officers increased to seven.
There were no radios or cell telephones to communicate with officers, for many years a tall pole stood in the center of town with a blue electric lamp atop. Should the uptown officer be needed the light would be lit, indicating that the officer was required to call HQ.
Today, officers have specialized skills and modern equipment, they undergo rigorous police academy training and are constantly trained and updated in any changes in the law. Summit Police officers are better able to serve and protect the community than ever before.
Summit Police Department ~ Summit, New Jersey
512 Springfield Avenue Summit NJ 07901 Ph: 908-273-0051
A History in Brief of Summit Police Department
Summit Police Department Receives Display Case Donation
By Summit Police Department
2/3/2010
Recently, the Summit Police Department was pleased to accept the gift of a glass display case donated by James Fitzsimmons, owner of the Allstate insurance agency on Springfield Avenue in Summit. Police Chief Robert C. Lucid expressed his gratitude for the gift noting, "Jim Fitzsimmons has always been a friend to this department, and his generosity is much appreciated. We are using the case to display Department memorabilia and we are inviting any retired police officers or family members who might have items of interest to loan them to us so that we might share them with the community." The case is located in the foyer of City Hall, adjacent to the Police Dispatch window. Anyone wishing to loan memorabilia to the Department should contact Lt. Robert Weck, Patrol Bureau Commander, at 908-522-3603.
Pictured here are James Fitzsimmons on the left and Lt. Robert Weck on the right.
Press release courtesy alternative press
The police are the public and the public are the police; the police being only members of the public who are paid to give full time attention to duties which are incumbent on every citizen in the interests of community welfare and existence.
Sir Robert Peel.
Sir Robert Peel.