History of FPPD

In 1912 Mayor Rushmore replaced an unpaid police marshal, Thomas Henley, with a police committee. The committee was abolished two months later after committee members asked that $108 be appropriated to build a cage to use as a jail. Florham Park had no jail, at that time, and had to walk prisoners, who were mostly chicken thieves, to Madison to be housed.

Charles Rateau is referenced in notes as a police chief in 1922 when he chaired a committee to build a new school. He is mentioned again, in meeting minutes from 1923, when being praised by Mayor Helm for his keeping order at the polls when women were first afforded the right to vote.

Following Rateau, Edward Stanton served as the Borough’s Chief of Police on a part time basis until 1931 when the council decided there was a need for a full time police officer. Stanton declined the job because he had other employment. The Borough appointed Theodore “Ted” Slate as the Borough’s first full time officer. He patrolled the Borough on a bicycle backed up by the New Jersey State Police. Chief Slate retired in September of 1961 after 31 years of service to the Department and the Borough.

In 1961, Lieutenant Herbert V.B Smith Jr. was appointed chief. “Van,” as he was known, had become the Borough’s 2nd full time officer, when he was hired in 1934. The Police Department had grown to 14 officers by 1964, an increase of 12 from the time when Chief Smith was hired. Following the passing of Chief Smith in 1964, Detective Lieutenant Edward Dowd was promoted to the position of Chief of Police. The Police Department, under Chief Dowd’s leadership, had grown to 23 officers at the time of his death in 1973.

Following the passing of Chief Dowd in 1973, Detective Captain Richard Ruzicka was promoted to the position of Chief of Police. Chief Ruzicka served the Borough for 38 years, 22 of them as Chief of Police. During Chief Ruzicka’s tenure the Department expanded to 27 officers, began utilizing civilian dispatchers; and hired the Borough’s first female officer. Chief Ruzicka was responsible for the department's first computers, enhanced 9-1-1 system, and deploying statewide radios in patrol vehicles.

The Department has had 6 Chiefs of Police since Chief Ruzicka’s retirement in 1995;
Chief Joseph J. Orlando 2018 - Present
Chief Robert Treiber 2015-2018
Chief Patrick Montuore  2008-2015
Chief Kim Chapman  2006-2008
Chief Raymond K. Smith  2004-2006
Chief John R. Treiber 1995 - 2003

The Department has grown to 33 officers in 2023. The current goals of the agency, overseen by current Chief Joseph J. Orlando, are to enhance community relations, develop a trusting relationship with residents and visitors, deter crime through effective patrol tactics, enhance the Department’s brand through effective communication and a strong social media presence, and to diversify the personnel in an effort to be reflective of the community.