Woolwich Police

Mission

The mission of the Woolwich Township Police Department is to function as guardians for the communities in which we serve by enforcing the law, maintaining order, and protecting the lives, property, and rights of all people, as guided by the Constitution. We shall carry out our duties with a reverence for human life in partnership with members of the community through professionalism, respect, integrity, dedication and excellence in policing.

History

On April 2, 1968 the Woolwich Township Police Department (WTPD) was established. Chief Thomas Feldman reported for duty and responded to the first recorded incident, a fatal motor vehicle accident at routes 538 and 322.

Equipped with a radio and a Smith & Wesson .38 revolver, Chief Feldman worked alone for the next five days until David Stecher joined the force as a part time officer. Soon to follow would be Ugo Canzanese, Albert Stecher, Jr. and Sam Zappala. These five men patrolled Woolwich Township in a 1963 Ford.

When asked how they rotated shifts Dave Stecher laughs, "Chief Feldman worked eighty percent of the time and I worked the other twenty. There were a lot of drunk and disorderly calls and assaults. I also remember responding to a homicide." Dave recalls the department receiving two bullet proof vests around 1978. "Before that we wore street clothes. We were on duty basically twenty-four hours a day and we shared equipment."

Before becoming the second Chief of Police in Woolwich Township, Russ Marino also worked as an officer between 1977 and 1985 then returning from 1986 to 87. He recalls the department switching to 12-hour shifts during this time. "The officers carried Smith Wesson .357’s and patrolled the Township in Chevrolet Impalas."

"I remember a lot of motor vehicle accidents," recalls Marino, "some burglaries and domestic violence cases. Mantua Police Department dispatched all of our calls. You had to dial a seven digit phone number."

Each officer carries a portable two-way radio and is equipped with the necessary safety equipment needed to perform their job. In 1998 the department received an anonymous donation of a Medical Defibrillator, a device used in certain medical emergencies. Currently, all Officers are certified in its use.

In January 2000, Gloucester County began dispatching the department and residents can now dial 9-1-1 in an emergency. Previously, a seven-digit phone number had to be used to reach police dispatch.

During the last forty years the WTPD has evolved to meet the demands of a growing Township. The Deparment is now made up of 29 full-time sworn officers who work 12 hour shifts 24/7. These Officers continuously strive to meet the demands of an ever changing profession within an ever changing community. As always, the well-being of the Township Residents is a priority to these officers and keeping up with the growth is a responsibility they take seriously.

As of October 1st, 2019, the Woolwich Township Police Department provides police services to over 20,000 residents between Woolwich Township, Swedesboro and South Harrison Township.

Since the inception of the Woolwich Township Police Department in 1968, there has only been four chiefs of police, Chief Thomas Feldman, Chief Russell Marino, Chief Richard Jaramillo, and currently, Chief of Police, Joseph A. Morgan III.

Contact Us

For Emergencies: Dial 9-1-1

24/7 Non-Emergency Dispatch: (856) 589-0911

Records Clerk: Nicole Duignan

Phone: (856) 467-1667 ext:1126

Fax: (856) 467-5188

Email: nduignan@woolwichtwp.org

Location: 120 Village Green Drive, Woolwich, NJ 08085

Office Hours: 8:30am - 4:30pm Monday through Friday

Personnel

Administration

Joseph A. Morgan III
Chief of Police

Chief Morgan has an extensive background in law enforcement, having graduated from the Gloucester County Police Academy in December of 2000. Prior to joining the Woolwich Police Department in June of 2002, he served with the Greenwich Township Police Department. Throughout his career, Chief Morgan has held various positions of increasing responsibility, including Investigator from 2005 to 2007, Patrol Sergeant in 2007, Lieutenant in 2013, Deputy Chief in 2020, and Chief in 2022.

Chief Morgan is a highly trained law enforcement professional, possessing several certifications including Field Training Officer, School Resource Officer, Firearms Instructor, Rifle Instructor, and Humane Law Enforcement Officer. He is also a graduate of the NJ State Association of Chiefs of Police Command & Leadership Academy, having completed the program in 2018.

In addition to his law enforcement experience, Chief Morgan is a member of the Woolwich Township Joint Land Use Board. His diverse background and commitment to public service make him an invaluable asset to the Woolwich community.

Peter J. Massing Jr.
Deputy Chief

Deputy Chief Massing has a diverse background in law enforcement, having graduated from the Gloucester County Police Academy in 1997 and served with several police departments, including Paulsboro and Swedesboro, before joining the Woolwich Township Police Department in March of 2000. Prior to his law enforcement career, he served in the United States Marine Corps, demonstrating his commitment to public service from an early age.

Throughout his career with the Woolwich Twp. Police Department, Deputy Chief Massing has held numerous positions of increasing responsibility, including Sergeant in 2003, Lieutenant in 2017, Captain in 2020, and Deputy Chief in 2022. He is also a graduate of the NJ State Association of Chiefs of Police Command & Leadership Academy.

Deputy Chief Massing has received several accolades for his outstanding service to the community, including a Life Saving with Valor Award and a Meritorious Service Award from the Gloucester County Police Chiefs Association. He is also a diversely trained law enforcement professional, possessing certifications as a Firearms Instructor, Rifle Instructor, and certified School Resource Officer.

With his extensive experience, commitment to public service, and outstanding achievements, Deputy Chief Massing is a true asset to the Woolwich community and the law enforcement profession.

Thomas E. Daniels Jr.
Captain

Captain Daniels is a highly decorated law enforcement professional with over two decades of experience with the Woolwich Township Police Department. He graduated from the Gloucester County Police Academy in 2000 and has been an integral part of the department ever since.

Throughout his career, Captain Daniels has held various roles of increasing responsibility, including Detective in 2009, Detective Sergeant in 2013, Lieutenant in 2020, and most recently, Captain in 2022.

Captain Daniels is also a highly trained law enforcement specialist, having served on both the Gloucester County Emergency Response Team from 2008 to 2010 and the Gloucester County SWAT Team from 2010 to 2022. He is a recipient of numerous awards for his outstanding service, including the prestigious Medal of Honor and Life Saving with Valor awards from the Gloucester County Police Chiefs Association.

With his extensive experience, exemplary service, and dedication to his profession, Captain Daniels is an invaluable member of the Woolwich Township Police Department and a true asset to the community.

Anthony Verrilli
Lieutenant

Lieutenant Verrilli is a highly accomplished law enforcement professional with over two decades of experience in public service. He graduated from the Camden County Police Academy in 2000 and has been a vital member of the Woolwich Township Police Department since 2003.

Throughout his distinguished career, Lieutenant Verrilli has held several positions of increasing responsibility, including Corporal in 2012, Sergeant in 2013, and Lieutenant in 2022. As Lieutenant, he currently oversees the Patrol Division and Community Outreach, playing an instrumental role in building strong relationships between law enforcement and the community.

Lieutenant Verrilli is passionate about making a positive impact in the community and is particularly invested in the Youth Academy program, which he successfully launched in 2018. He is also a highly trained law enforcement specialist, holding numerous certifications, including Field Training Officer, Humane Law Enforcement Officer, and Radar Instructor. Additionally, Lieutenant Verrilli has served as the OEM Coordinator, demonstrating his commitment to public safety and preparedness.

With his exceptional leadership skills, extensive experience, and passion for community outreach, Lieutenant Verrilli is an asset to the Woolwich Township Police Department and the community it serves.

Detective Division

Chris Beckett
Detective Sergeant

Curtis Rucker
Investigator

Robert Burness
Investigator

Patrol Division

Joseph Rieger
Sergeant

Christian Gregory
Sergeant

Matthew O'Loughlin
Sergeant

Robert Burness
Corporal

Kevin Agresta
Corporal

Stephen Spithaler
Corporal

Matthew Boyko
Corporal

Sean Sturgis
Patrolman

Eric Petroski
Patrolman

Shane Stranahan
Patrolman

Michael Kemp
Patrolman

Lindsay Deputy
Patrolman

Brian Collins
Patrolman

Bay Kasten
Patrolman

Zachary Burnham
Patrolman

Jonathan Nastasi
Patrolman

Brandon Hamer
Patrolman

Brandon Lopez
Patrolman

Luke Trifiletti
Patrolman

Scott Thomas
Patrolman

Jerry Parker
Patrolman

Edward Donahue
Patrolman

Michael Konnick
Patrolman

Matthew Grubb
Patrolman

Daniel Featherer
Patrolman

Mark DePasquale
Patrolman

School Resource Division

Rodney Sawyer
SLEO II

Jeff Thompson
SLEO II

Michael LaRosa
SLEO III

Michael Petrutz
SLEO III

William Franklin
SLEO III

Records Division

Nicole Duignan
Records Clerk

Resources

Employment Opportunities

Programs

Events

Neighbors by Ring

School Resource Officer

L.E.A.D.

Police Explorers

Youth Academy

Prescription Take Back

Body Worn Camera Program

Tip Line

You can submit a tip, by utilizing the email link below, to provide information regarding known details of a crime, suspected criminal activity, suspicious persons, and/or any nuisance or quality of life issues.

If the tip involves a crime in progress, please call 9-1-1.

Otherwise, provide as much detail as possible in your email. Please include information such as the dates and times of the alleged criminal activity or suspicious behavior, physical descriptions and distinguishing characteristics of any persons involved, and the make, model and license plate information for any suspicious vehicles. Never jeopardize your own personal safety to obtain this information. Photos and/or videos may also be attached to the email.

You may remain anonymous or if you provide an e-mail address and phone number police can contact you for additional details if necessary.

Submit a Tip

Commend an Officer

As a way of saying thanks for exemplary service or to let an Officer know you appreciate their efforts in handling a problem, you may commend an officer by using the below email link. Our Police Administrators will forward your message of thanks to the officer and include it in their personnel file. Please include the officer's name, date, time, the location of incident, and the circumstances surrounding the event.

The Woolwich Township Police Department has a long-standing tradition of prompt and professional service. We look forward to hearing from those we serve about the conduct of our officers in performing their duties. If you feel the circumstances warrant, please reach out and let us know how we did.

Submit Commendation

Internal Affairs

The members of the Woolwich Township Police Department are committed to providing law enforcement services that are fair, effective, and impartially applied. It is in the best interests of everyone that a complaint about the performance of an individual law enforcement officer is resolved fairly and promptly.

The Woolwich Township Police Department has formal procedures for investigating complaints of police misconduct. These procedures ensure fairness and protect the rights of both citizens and law enforcement officers.

The Woolwich Township Police Department Special Investigations Unit operates in accordance with the New Jersey Attorney General’s Guidelines on Internal Affairs Policies and Procedures.

The Woolwich Township Police Department Special Investigations Unit accepts and documents all citizen complaints in any form, including anonymous complaints, against law enforcement personnel employed in the Woolwich Township Police Department. Internal Affairs Citizen Information Sheet

To File a Complaint: IA Citizen Complaint Forms can be found here. (You do not have to utilize this form to file a complaint - For your convenience only.)

Complaints can be made in person, mail, phone, or email.

Woolwich Township Police Department
Detective Sergeant Chris Beckett #2313
120 Village Green Drive
Woolwich Township, New Jersey 08085

You may also call the Special Investigations Unit at (856) 467-1667 x1224, and ask to speak to a detective in the Special Investigations Unit.

Complaints can be made via email to cbeckett@woolwichtwp.org

Please include as much of the following information as you can remember:

Date, time and location of incident
Name(s) and badge numbers(s) of the officer(s) involved
Names, addresses, and telephone numbers of any potential witnesses
Circumstances of the incident

The 4 A's of Internal Affiars

ANYONE– Any individual must be permitted to file an Internal Affairs complaint. It can be a victim, a friend of the victim, a parent, a juvenile (with or without parents), an illegal alien (we are not permitted to ask about immigration status) or it can be anonymous. ANYONE means ANYONE.
ANY WAY– An Internal Affairs complaint can be filed in ANY WAY. It could be filed by phone, by letter, written on a napkin, in person… Whatever is best for the person filing. We cannot make someone show up in person or swear the statement to initiate the complaint process.
ANY TIME– A complaint must be taken regardless of the hour or day of the week. At no time should a complaint be told to return later, even if the IA officer is unavailable. ANY law enforcement officer or civilian employee must take a complaint.
ANYTHING– As long as a complaint has sufficient factual information, the complaint must be investigated. It is predicated upon the victim’s view of the situation.

* * * LAW ENFORCEMENT MUST AVOID ANY LANGUAGE THAT IS DESIGNED TO DISSUADE SOMEBODY FROM FILING A COMPLAINT***

Early Warning System

In accordance with NJ Attorney General’s Directive 2018-3, the Woolwich Township Police Department has updated its Early Warning System Policy. To read the full directive, click the following link: EWS

Internal Affairs Reporting

In compliance with Internal Affairs Policy & Procedures Section 9.11.2, the Woolwich Township Police Department publishes all major discipline that was assessed against any agency member. Major discipline is defined as the outcome of an internal affairs complaint resulting in an officer's termination, demotion, or suspension of more than five days.

See Reports

Woolwich Township Police Department