Montville Township Police Department Celebrates 100 Years

Published on July 15, 2025

Morris County Honors Department’s Centennial of Service

The Morris County Board of County Commissioners joined local and county officials in celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Montville Township Police Department during a ceremony held last week at police headquarters, exactly one century from when the department was formally established, July 11, 1925.

Commissioner Director Tayfun Selen and Commissioner Thomas Mastrangelo presented a formal resolution of honor to Chief Andrew Caggiano, recognizing a century of service by the department and congratulating the chief on his recent appointment as president of the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police.

“For 100 years, the Montville Police Department has fulfilled its promise to serve, and I have every confidence it will continue to do so in the years ahead,” said Commissioner Mastrangelo, a Montville resident.

Additional recognitions were presented by Sheriff James Gannon, Prosecutor Robert Carroll, County Clerk Ann Grossi and Montville Mayor Matthew Kayne. Former police chiefs Carl DeBacco and Richard Cook were also in attendance.

View More Photos from the Dedication Ceremony

“The Montville Police Department represents the very best of public service. Their commitment to professionalism, safety and community partnership sets an example for law enforcement across the county,” said Director Selen.

The department’s roots date back to the early 1920s, when Russ Hilbert served as the township’s first special officer and constable with support from the New Jersey State Police. The first official logbook was created on Aug. 11, 1939, when Hilbert became the department’s first chief, serving until 1946. Officer Frank Jackowitz succeeded him as chief. The agency originally operated from the building now known as the Montville Senior House -- where the original jail cell still remains -- before relocating to its current 18,000-square-foot facility on Route 202.

Over the decades, the department has expanded its ranks and capabilities, establishing a full-time dispatch desk in 1964, a Detective Bureau in 1965 and a Community Policing Unit in 1988 under Chief DeBacco, which later introduced the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program in local schools.

Today, the Montville Police Department includes 41 sworn officers, four special officers, and specialized units including patrol, detective, traffic and school resource officers.

The event featured a tour of the facility, a K-9 demonstration, and lunch was provided by Rails Steakhouse.

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Photo 1: (l-r) Commissioner Thomas Mastrangelo, Capt. Carlo Marucci, Chief Andrew Caggiano and Director Tayfun Selen.

Photo 2: (l-r) Chief Caggiano, former Chief DeBacco and former Chief Cook.