Mission Statement The mission of the Chatham Township Police Department is to enhance the quality of life in Chatham Township by providing a safe environment for residents and visitors. We promote partnerships within the community and with every citizen to prevent crime. We will impartially enforce the law and respect the rights of all individuals. Chief John Paton     Tips from the the Police COMMUNICATIONS With our recent shift of communications to Morris County and the elimination of local dispatchers, some changes in how we do business are inevitable: At headquarters- The desk at headquarters is manned by a Special Police Officer Monday through Friday from 10:00am to 6:00pm. This officer can assist you with report requests, handicapped parking permits and many other services. After hours, there is an emergency call box located on the front of our building. Pressing the button on this call box will connect you with the County dispatcher, who will contact our officers via radio to assist you. On the telephone- As always, if it is an emergency, dial 9-1-1. For non-emergency calls, our number remains (973) 377-0100. When you dial (973) 377-0100, your call is answered by an ‘auto attendant’ that requires you to choose ‘0’ to speak with the dispatcher or ‘1’ for all other inquiries. Pressing ‘0’ will immediately connect you with the County dispatcher responsible for Chatham Township. Pressing ‘1’ will bring you to our local ‘auto attendant’ which will present you with a myriad of choices. Please listen patiently to this menu. If nothing seems appropriate, pressing ‘1’ at this point will allow you to leave a voice mail message for the shift supervisor. Pressing ‘0’ at this point will return you to the original (County) ‘auto attendant’. Rest assured, despite these changes, you will still receive the same excellent level of service from your police department that you have come to expect and deserve.   Blotter Driving Under the Influence Ronald Bell Age 70 Basking Ridge, NJ February 3, 2012 4:50pm Officer Michael Sawyer and Sergeant Thomas Miller responded to a Loantaka Way residence on a complaint that an intoxicated driver was ramming his vehicle into a fence on the property. The officer’s encountered Ronald Bell 70 of Basking Ridge sitting in his 2004 Ford wagon with heavy damage in front of the residence. The property owner reported that the driver, whom he did not know, repeatedly rammed his vehicle into a post by a barn on the property then drove through two separate fences and across a field to get back onto Loantaka Way. Bell, who complained of injuries, was subsequently transported to Morristown Memorial Hospital by the Chatham Emergency Squad. Police have charged Bell with Reckless Driving and Driving under the Influence of Alcohol. Bell is scheduled to appear in Municipal Court on February 14, 2012.         Receive community information instantly! Sign up at Nixle.com today! It's quick, easy and secure.