Morris County Sheriff's Office

As of April 15, 2025, any sheriff’s sale where the Community Wealth Preservation Program is invoked will be adjourned pending the outcome of the court case (MER-C-94-24)

Our registration process for Community Wealth Preservation Program participants has changed! Click here

New: We need your feedback! Fill out our survey. 

The Morris County Sheriff’s Office, led by Sheriff James M. Gannon, is committed to:

• upholding the state of New Jersey’s constitutional requirements of the office
• securing the county courthouse
• standing ready to support and augment all other law enforcement agencies when requested, with any and all of our specialized service units

These duties will be accomplished through collaborative efforts, responsible use of resources, sound administrative policies, continued technological advances, and leadership development.

We recognize that the ability to successfully complete our mission is based on a shared mutual respect and responsibility between the sheriff’s office, federal, county and municipal agencies, and the citizens we serve.

Important Boating Regulations for Lake Hopatcong

Sheriff James M. Gannon and Sgt. Anthony Buro of the New Jersey State Police, Special Operations Section, Marine Services Bureau would like to advise you of the current boating regulations in place to ensure the enjoyment of Lake Hopatcong by all this Summer.

The following regulations are established under Title 13, Chapter 82 of the New Jersey Administrative Code and apply specifically to Lake Hopatcong. These rules are in place to ensure the safety of all boaters, water skiers, swimmers, and lakefront residents. Please read and adhere to all regulations while enjoying the lake.

High Water Conditions – “Slow Speed-No Wake”

A 'Slow Speed-No Wake' condition is automatically mandated when either of the following occurs:

- The water level reaches the Extreme High Water Level (Elevation 924.20 feet), OR

- The United States Geologic Survey (USGS) gauge #01455400 at Hopatcong State Park reads 9.5.

Boaters can check current water levels at the USGS website: https://waterdata.usgs.gov

Waterskiing Restrictions

From May 15 through September 15, on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, waterskiing is prohibited between 11:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. in the following areas:

• Byram Cove

• Between Raccoon Island and Prospect Point

• Between Prospect Point and Halsey Island

• Woodport Cove

• Between Halsey Island and Raccoon Island

• Henderson Cove

• No vessel shall pull more than two skiers at any one time during these peak days/times, in any portion of Lake Hopatcong, except during sanctioned races or exhibitions.

- The towing vessel shall not exceed the manufacturer's recommended capacity (skiers count as passengers).

- While towing, maintain a minimum distance of the tow line plus 100 feet from shore, structures, other vessels, or swimmers.

- Dropping skis for barefoot or slalom skiing is prohibited unless immediately retrieved by a following vessel.

- Operators must safely and promptly return to fallen or disconnected skiers.

Wake Surfing Distance Rule

Wake surfing, unlike water skiing, requires greater distance due to safety and wake impact concerns. In accordance with N.J.A.C. 13:82-3.1(b), all power vessels engaged in wake surfing must maintain a minimum distance of 200 feet from any wharf, marina, dock, pier, bridge structure, abutment, person in the water, other vessel, shoreline, approved aid to navigation, or mooring, unless otherwise specified in this chapter.

Speed Limits

- No vessel may operate in excess of 10 mph between sunset and sunrise.

- On Saturdays, Sundays, or legal holidays from May 15 through September 15, the maximum speed is 30 mph.

- Do not exceed a maximum speed of 5 mph within 100 feet of shore, docks, buoys, bridges, and people in the water.

Hull Elevation Rules

Operating a vessel in a manner that causes 100% of the hull to come out of the water is considered careless operation, except during permitted marine events or authorized race tests.

These laws are enforced by the New Jersey State Police Marine Services Bureau. Thank you for boating safely and responsibly.

For emergencies, contact 9-1-1 or NJSP Lake Hopatcong Station Dispatch at: 732-899-5050 or Marine Law Enforcement on VHF Channel 16.

CALEA Accreditation -

Public Comment Portal

The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA)

The purpose of this public portal is to receive comments regarding the Morris County Sheriff's Office, Bureau of Law Enforcement's compliance with CALEA standards, engagement in the service community, delivery of public safety services, and overall candidacy for accredited status. These comments can be in the form of commendations or concerns. The overall intent of the accreditation process is to provide the Morris County Sheriff's Office Bureau of Law Enforcement with information to support continuous improvement, as well as foster the pursuit of professional excellence. IMPORTANT: CALEA is not an investigatory body and subsequently the public portal should not be used to submit information for such purposes. Additionally, there will be no response other than acknowledgment to submissions; however, the information will be considered in context to its relevancy to compliance with standards and the tenets of CALEA Accreditation.

The Morris County Sheriff's Office, Bureau of Law Enforcement Accreditation public comment portal page link:

CALEA Accreditation Portal for Public Comment

Hope is here!  Learn about Hope One.

Learn More