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5 Essential Facts You Need To Know About The Clifton Police Department (Clifton, NJ) In 2025

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The Clifton Police Department (CPD), serving the vibrant City of Clifton, New Jersey, is a cornerstone of public safety in Passaic County. As of late 2024 and heading into 2025, the department is actively evolving, incorporating new technologies like police drones to enhance operational capabilities while maintaining a strong commitment to community-oriented policing through programs like the Junior Police Academy. This detailed overview provides the most current information available, highlighting the department's structure, leadership, recent activities, and the current state of crime in Clifton, NJ.

The CPD operates 24/7 to safeguard the lives and property of Clifton’s residents, focusing on reducing crime and fostering positive community relations. Recent news has focused on both high-profile incident responses and strategic departmental advancements, ensuring the city's law enforcement remains modern and highly responsive to the needs of the approximately 85,000 residents it serves.

Clifton Police Department Leadership and Key Personnel Biography

The leadership of the Clifton Police Department is essential to its operational success and community engagement strategy. The department is headed by a seasoned law enforcement professional who guides its various bureaus and divisions.

  • Current Chief of Police: Chief Thomas Rinaldi
  • Appointment Date: Chief Rinaldi was appointed as the interim Police Chief in February 2020.
  • Career Start: He began his career in law enforcement in 1995.
  • Training: Graduated from the Passaic County Police Academy, Class 95-11BTC.
  • Tenure Context: His leadership began just weeks before the declaration of the first global pandemic, navigating the department through unprecedented challenges.
  • Mission Focus: The Chief oversees a department committed to community safety, crime reduction, and transparent law enforcement practices.

Chief Rinaldi’s long history within the department and the Passaic County area provides a deep understanding of the local landscape, which is crucial for effective policing in a city as geographically and demographically diverse as Clifton, NJ.

Modernizing Law Enforcement: Technology and Recent Incidents

To stay ahead of modern criminal challenges, the Clifton Police Department has recently made significant investments in new technology and has been involved in several high-profile enforcement actions, reflecting its commitment to proactive policing.

The $27,000 Drone Acquisition

In a move to enhance surveillance, search-and-rescue capabilities, and incident response, the Clifton City Council approved a request for the Police Department to purchase a new drone. This $27,000 piece of equipment, purchased from Axon Enterprise, signifies the department’s embrace of advanced aerial technology. The use of police drones allows officers to quickly assess large or inaccessible areas, which is invaluable during traffic accident reconstruction, searching for missing persons, or monitoring large public gatherings for safety.

Recent High-Profile Enforcement Actions

The department maintains a high visibility in enforcement, often collaborating with other agencies within Passaic County. Recent notable events include:

  • Fatal Crash Arrest: Authorities, including Chief Rinaldi and the Passaic County Prosecutor, announced the arrest of a Lodi man in connection with a fatal crash in Clifton.
  • Officer Misconduct Case: The department dealt with the serious matter of a Clifton police officer being arrested on child sex charges, which was a result of an investigation by the Passaic County Sheriff Department’s Internet Crimes Task Force.
  • Proactive Patrol Stops: In July 2024, a CPD officer made a significant traffic stop near Central Avenue and E. Madison Avenue, leading to an investigation.

These incidents highlight the complex and demanding nature of law enforcement in Clifton, spanning routine patrol duties to major criminal investigations involving inter-agency collaboration.

Understanding the Clifton PD’s Organizational Structure and Divisions

The Clifton Police Department is structured into several key bureaus and divisions, each responsible for specific aspects of law enforcement and support services. This structure ensures comprehensive coverage across the city.

Patrol Division: The Backbone of Policing

The Patrol Division is the most visible component of the CPD. Its officers are the first responders to all emergency and non-emergency calls for service. Their responsibilities are broad, including responding to criminal complaints, conducting preliminary investigations, and providing EMS support.

Investigations Bureau

This bureau handles all follow-up criminal investigations. It is further broken down into specialized units to tackle different types of crime, ensuring expertise in complex cases. The Investigations Bureau is comprised of:

  • Detective Division
  • Juvenile Division
  • Narcotics Division

The Juvenile Division, in particular, plays a critical role in addressing issues involving minors and coordinating with youth programs.

Support and Administrative Services

Behind the scenes, the department relies on essential support functions:

  • Technical Services Division (TSD): Provides critical support for the department's continuous, uninterrupted operation, managing technology and infrastructure.
  • Administrative Services Bureau: This division manages the department's fiscal responsibilities, including budgeting, payroll, and overall financial management.

Crime Statistics and Community Safety in Clifton, NJ

A key measure of the Clifton Police Department's effectiveness is the city's crime rate. Recent statistics paint a positive picture, demonstrating that Clifton remains a relatively safe community compared to national benchmarks.

Clifton Crime Rate Analysis (2024/2025)

According to recent reports, the overall crime rate in Clifton, NJ, is significantly lower than the national average. Specifically:

  • Overall Crime Rate: The city’s overall crime rate is approximately 12.4% lower than the national average.
  • Crime Incidence: The overall crime rate is reported to be around 160 to 169 incidents per 10,000 residents.
  • Violent Crime Rate: The violent crime rate is notably low, hovering around 11.17 to 11.31 per 10,000 residents, which is a strong indicator of community safety.

These statistics highlight that the proactive efforts of the CPD, combined with community vigilance, help maintain a secure environment in Clifton. Your chance of being a victim of violent crime in Clifton is approximately 1 in 885.

Community-Oriented Policing and Outreach Programs

The Clifton Police Department places a high value on community-oriented policing, recognizing that a strong partnership with residents is the most effective tool for crime prevention. Several initiatives are in place to build trust and educate the public.

Key Community Programs

The department utilizes various outreach programs to engage with all segments of the population, from youth to adults:

  • Junior Police Academy: This highly popular program offers young residents a fun, hands-on experience with real police training and community service, fostering an interest in law enforcement. Applications for the 2025 academy are often sought early in the year.
  • Cadet Program: A more formal program designed to mentor and train young adults interested in a career in public safety.
  • National Night Out: The CPD actively participates in this annual event, which promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie.
  • School Liaison: Officers routinely visit school campuses and walk the halls, maintaining a strong, long-standing partnership with the Clifton Public Schools to ensure safety protocols are met.
  • Community Collaborations: The CPD also collaborates with entities like the Clifton Health Department and the New Jersey Division of Taxation on joint public awareness and enforcement efforts.

These initiatives are crucial for improving community relations and ensuring that the department is seen as an accessible and integral part of the Clifton community, aligning with their mission to reduce crime and safeguard the public.

5 Essential Facts You Need to Know About the Clifton Police Department (Clifton, NJ) in 2025
clifton police department clifton nj
clifton police department clifton nj

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