Who We Are

Our Mission

"To maintain the safety, well being, and quality of life for the residents and visitors to the Township of Eastampton, the Eastampton Township Police Department is committed to staying at the leading edge of Law Enforcement principles and practices. We are the standard for others to strive for."

About Us

The Eastampton Township Police Department is comprised of 21 full-time and three part-time employees. Located in Central Burlington County, the department provides comprehensive 24-hour police services to the residents and visitors to its' 5.62 square mile borders.

Department History

In the 1950's the residents of Eastampton Township felt that a need for law enforcement existed in the municipality. Consequently, a constable was appointed to work as the Township's first "lawman". Phil Crusco was the last constable to work in Eastampton, and he used his own vehicle and supplied all of his own equipment at the time. On May 31, 1965, the Township Committee, now known as the Eastampton Township Council, created the first "official" Police Department within the municipality by ordinance. At that time the organization largely consisted of part-time police officers appointed to their posts. During a period when the Township was mainly composed of rural homesteads and farms, the first part-time Chief of Police was appointed: William "Bill" Clark. Along with Chief Clark were officers Jim Pippin, Charles "Charlie" Craig, and Albert Goldacker. Soon afterwards, Ron Wells and John Hunt joined the force of part-time officers. It was during the 1960's that the township investigated it's first recorded homicide at Emily's Tavern in the Turpentine section of town.

In January 1970Jim Pippin and Al Goldacker departed to create their own private investigation business. Two new officers were brought on to the police department: Gerald Mingin and Edward Hunt, Jr. The appointment of these two officers would be the beginning of a new era for policing in Eastampton Township.

When Officers Mingin and Hunt began their duties for the department, which was still part-time, all criminal investigations were handled by the New Jersey State Police since no formal training was really required of municipal officers in the township. Officers primarily handled motor vehicle collisions not involving injuries, complaints of juveniles riding motorcycles in the woods owned by local farmers, and security escorts of the local school buses in town. Dispatched initially from Mt. Holly Township, the part-time police department operated out of a single room at the current location of the police department and operated a 1968 Dodge Coronet that was parked nightly at Chief Clark's residence in Maple Hills Estates. The actual catalyst in the creation of a full-time police department during the early 1970's was the residents' insistence upon the daily school bus escorts. As a result, "Jerry" Mingin was hired as the first full-time police officer and worked 50 hours a week for an annual salary of $5,000.00.

In the 1980's, the Eastampton Township Police Department would become a fully functioning, full service police departmet. After the hire of the first full time police officer, Gerald Mingin, he rose through the ranks and continued to lay the foundation of the police department as it sits today, having become its longtime Chief of Police.

In the 2000's, Chief Jerry Mingin would retire and turn the reigns over to longtime Detective, Chris Muraglia where he preached professionalism as a primary goal and objective of the members of the police department. The Eastampton Township Police Department now incorporates several specialized units and offers numerous community services. The Eastampton Police Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 146 was chartered in January 1998. Through the progress of our organization, we have begun to experience the retirement of many of the charter members of the first full-time police department in Eastampton.

As it stands, a new regime has begun with our very own Chief Joseph Iacovitti. As the times have progressed, our department continues to develop and adapt new ways of policing led by our new Chief. His tenure has already been landmarked with moving the police department from its original building at 725 Smithville Road, to now 1380 Woodlane Road, a more centralized location that enables our officers to adequately respond to calls. We as a department share the same enthusiasm for this township as our Chief and look forward to continuing to provide the utmost professionalism to our citizens.