MTPD Celebrates 50 Years of Service

By Barbara A. Preston | Posted Dec. 5, 2024

Back when half of Montgomery Township’s roads were still dirt and telephones were party lines, residents “depended largely on a couple part-time special officers who donned the blue as needed,” according to a recent program sponsored by the Van Harlingen Historical Society.

Special Officer Joe “Chief” Oliver with his “cherry top” police car, early 1970s.

Montgomery now has dozens of highly trained police officers protecting the township’s citizens, mostly on traffic-congested busy, roads. In their honor, Township Committee celebrated the 50th Anniversary of its police department on Nov. 14.

The Creation of the MTPD

The Montgomery Police Department (MTPD) was established 50 years ago, on Nov. 21 in 1974, when Township Committee approved Ordinance No. 288. The township appointed its first chief, Michael Szoke, in December 1974 followed by the appointment of officers Lawrence Embry and Kenneth Chrusz in April 1975 and Officer William Beachell in January of 1976.

Retired police officers at the 50th Anniversary Celebration at the Montgomery Municipal Complex in November. From left: Ken Chrusz, Gerry DiDonato, Erik Venema, Guy Fillebrown, Joe Samec, Jim Curry, Bob Palmer, Dave Van Doren, and Ryan Gray.

Ret. Officer Chrusz attended the 50th anniversary celebration at the municipal complex. “When I started on the MTPD in 1975 there were more cows, sheep, and horses in town than there were people,” he told The Montgomery News. “When we were sent on a call, they gave us the name. You didn’t need the address, you knew everybody and were they lived.” Chrusz recalled that rounding up stray cattle was just part of the job. “Then it was off to herd speeders along Route 206.”

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Montgomery Township’s population in 1975 was just 6,807 people. The township now has more than 24,000 residents according to the Census — with many more large housing developments and shopping complexes in the pipeline. The police force now has 37 full-time officers, including several women. Gail Novack was the MTPD’s first female officer, hired in the 1980s.

A few of Montgomery’s finest at the 50th Anniversary celebration.

Before Montgomery had its own police department, the New Jersey State Police from the “Princeton Sub-Station’ on Rt. 1 in Plainsboro patrolled Montgomery Township. Circa 1970, Montgomery Township started up a part time police department manned by local residents, Chrusz said. “They were loyal and dedicated to the community,” he said. “They patrolled various evenings, weekends, and special events and handled minor issues. Significant events were handled by the State Police.”

In the early 1970s, the State of New Jersey was starting to apply pressure on growing communities such as Montgomery Township to assume the responsibility of policing. “That was the impetus for Montgomery Township getting its own police department,” Chrusz said.

During the 50th Anniversary Celebration in the municipal center, Deputy Mayor Vince Barragan spoke of the important role police serve. Police officers are invaluable to municipalities, charged with saving lives, ensuring folks drive safely on the roads, protecting property, and ensuring the constitutional rights of citizens.

“We extend heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to all the officers of the Montgomery Police Department, past and present, for the exceptional service and commitment to the safety and well-being of the community. “