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Department Bureaus
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Communications DivisionOur communications divisions is staffed twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. Monday thru Friday from 08:00-23:00 it is manned by certified dispatchers, whose specific area of expertise is telecommunications. On weekends and midnight tours the desk is manned by full time sworn officers, who have the same certification as the dispatchers, and are trained in the use of all the technology on the desk. __________________________________________________________________________
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Detective BureauThe Detective Bureau is in charge of all criminal complaints for the police department. Although initial contact is usually made by a patrol officer with respect to criminal complaints, all the follow-up processing is done by the Detective Bureau. The River Vale Police Department Detective Bureau has two (2) full-time officers assigned to handle all investigations. These investigations can range from neighborhood disputes to homicide. The officers assigned to the Bureau receive specialized training in the following areas:
During tours of the police station many are surprised at the number of weapons and the serious drugs that are confiscated yearly in the Township of River Vale by the police department and stored in the evidence room. It must be noted that after prosecution these weapons and drugs are then destroyed by the Bergen County Prosecutors Office. During investigations the River Vale Detective may request the response of the Bergen County Prosecutors office, the Bergen County Police Department, the Bergen County Sheriffs Department, or the Bergen County Medical Examiner. These agencies have special equipment, specially trained personnel, or facilities that can be utilized in the course of an investigation. The River Vale Police Department Detective Bureau meets monthly with Detectives from the surrounding jurisdictions. At these meetings cases are discussed to see if a similar investigation is being conducted elsewhere and resources can then be joined. __________________________________________________________________________ |
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What is Domestic Violence? Domestic violence is not a disagreement, an anger management issue, or a normal part of an intimate relationship. It is a systematic pattern of abusive behavior with intent to gain and maintain power and control over another person. This includes dating, partner, spousal, and elder abuse, as well as abuse between present or former household members. Domestic violence can happen to anyone, regardless of their race, religion, age, socio-economic background, level of education, or sexual orientation. Domestic violence is a crime. Types of Abuse: Abuse is any behavior use to control or intimidate another person and can be verbal, emotional, physical, or sexual in nature. Emotional/Psychological Abuse: Name-calling, put-downs, threats, stalking, intimidation, degradation, tracking time, isolating victim from family or friends, forbidding victim to work or participate in outside activities, sleep deprivation, interrogation, accusing, using money to control, threatening to "out" a gay or lesbian partner, harming pets, destroying property, throwing objects near victim Physical Abuse: Pushing, shoving, slapping, kicking, punching, biting, restraint, hair pulling, strangulation, pinching, burning, grabbing, shaking, scratching, spitting, using weapons, throwing objects at victim Sexual Abuse: Any non-consensual sexual act or behavior, including forced sex, unwanted touching, sexual degradation, and violence targeted at the genital area
The Cycle of Violence The tension-building period is usually the longest period of the cycle, and is generally characterized by a high level of stress. For example, the abuser may be moody, sullen, fault-finding, and very critical. He might withdraw affection, belittle his partner, drink or abuse drugs, make threats, or even destroy his partner's personal property. Meanwhile, the victim may attempt to keep her partner calm and placate him, become overly accommodating, agreeable, solicitous, and nurturing. She may also become either silent or overly-talkative, withdraw from and avoid family and friends, try to keep the kids quiet and "out of the way", or constantly feel as if she is "walking on eggshells." The acute explosion is usually the briefest period of the cycle, as well as most severe. During an explosion, an abuser might beat, rape, isolate, imprison, or attack his partner with a weapon. He may become extremely verbally abusive or humiliate and publicly degrade his partner. The victim will often try to protect herself any way she can, attempt to reason with or calm her abuser, call the police, fight back, or leave or attempt to leave.
The honeymoon period might not exist in every abusive relationship, and is often shorter than the tension-building period. The abuser may apologize, cry, and beg forgiveness, make declarations of love, promise to get help, send extravagant gifts, and promise it will never happen again. The victim often accepts the apologies, believing that it will never happen again, and even cancel legal proceedings or appointments with a counselor because the situation "seems to be better." Violence in a relationship tends to escalate in frequency and severity over time without proper intervention. It typically beings with verbal and emotional abuse and is often not identified as violence. This can escalate to physical and/or sexual abuse which becomes increasingly more violent and potentially life-threatening. All forms of abuse should be recognized as violent and potentially dangerous. Why Do Victims Stay? There are many reasons why a person might stay in a violent relationship. Many victims of domestic violence do not want to end their relationships, they only want the violence to stop. As domestic violence does not typically start as physical violence, most women will not recognize signs such as possessiveness and jealousy as signs of potential danger. In fact, due to media messages and cultural norms, many women find these "warning signs" flattering and might even view them as signs of true romantic love. Many victims are hopeful that their partners will change and that their relationship will be as it was when they first met. Many victims either still love their partner, are afraid to leave, or feel trapped in their circumstances. So why can't a woman often just leave a violent relationship? Fear. Many victims have a higher risk of violence when they attempt to leave their relationship, because their abuser realizes that their power and control has been threatened. Many abusive partners will stalk, continue to threaten, intimidate, attempt to manipulate, and/or be physically or sexually abusive after their partners have left. These threats may also be made to the victim's children, other family members, friends, or co-workers. The abuser might even threaten to hurt or kill himself. Finances. Many victims are financially dependent on their batterers. The victim may be unemployed, without job skills, unable to legally work in the United States due to immigration status, not fluent in English, unable to provide basic necessities for herself or her children, or humiliated at the thought of having to go on welfare or make a drastic change to her and her children's current standard of living. Children. Although many victims do leave if and when they feel their children are directly threatened, others may choose to stay because of issues surrounding children. The victim may want to keep her family intact, not want to deny her children a father figure, or not want to uproot them from their current school, neighborhood, or other support systems. The abusive partner may have threatened to turn the children against her, abduct them, report her to DYFS(Division of Youth and Family Services), physically harm the children, or even kill them if she leaves. Identifying an Abusive Relationship
If one or more of these items is true for you, you may be involved in an abusive, dangerous relationship. You are not alone-help is available. To speak to someone confidentially: National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE Suggestions for Helping GENTLY ASK direct questions about her situation. Give her time to talk and don't force the issue. She may not be ready to discuss it with you but let her know you will listen if and when she is ready. Check back with her on several occasions and remind her you are still willing to listen if she needs someone to talk to. Be patient and let her know that you care and are concerned for her safety and well-being. LISTEN without judging her and allow her to express her emotions. Avoid rushing to provide solutions to her problems or (even subtly) blaming her for the abuse. Abused women often believe their abuser's negative messages and may feel responsible and ashamed. Focus on supporting her right to make her own decisions. PROVIDE supporting/validating messages. Let her know that nobody deserves to live in fear or to be abused. Explain that nothing she has done or could do gives another person the right to abuse her. Advise her that she is the victim of a crime and can seek protection from the criminal justive system. SUGGEST she prepare for an emergency. A safety plan can be developed with the help of ADV, even if she decides to remain in the relationship. GUIDE her to community services. Be aware of the resources available in your community. In Bergen County, New Jersey, there are two programs that offer safety, advocacy, support, legal information, and other needed services: ADV and SOS (Shelter Our Sisters). Share this information with her privately. Let her know that she is not alone and there are people that can help her. Assure her that her information will be kept confidential and encourage her to seek help.
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Firearms Investigation/Fingerprint Bureau
The Firearms Investigation/Fingerprint Bureau is responsible for:
In addition, the police department will accommodate any request for fingerprinting that you may have as long as your are a Township of River Vale resident. This service is provided to you at no cost. Please bring the fingerprint cards that were given to you. All fingerprinting is done by appointment only. Please call 201-664-2346 extension 1309 for an appointment. Please leave your name, phone number and reason for fingerprinting and an officer will return your call. __________________________________________________________________________ |
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Human ResourcesCareer OpportunitiesAre you interested in a law enforcement career with the River Vale Police Department? If yes, contact our Human Resources Officer at the above email link. Officer Affrunti will get back to you about employment opportunities & requirements for the River Vale Police Department. __________________________________________________________________________ |
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Juvenile BureauThe River Vale Police Department Juvenile Bureau is responsible for the investigation of all crimes involving juveniles, victims or suspects. This includes misdemeanors and felonies, involving property crimes, persons crimes or drug offenses. __________________________________________________________________________ |
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Patrol DivisionOfficers that are assigned to the Patrol Division are responsible for the performance of the following functions:
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Traffic Bureau
The River Vale Police Department Traffic Bureau's primary responsibility is to oversee all traffic matters in the Township of River Vale. The Bureau participates in all State and County traffic programs, as well as coordinating all "Driving While Intoxicated" activities including DWI Checkpoints, patrols, funding and equipment. All Department Breathalyzer operators are supervised by the Traffic Bureau. In addition to its many and varied areas of responsibility, the Traffic Bureau conducts various studies and surveys throughout the town and makes recommendations to the State, County and Township Council on ways to improve traffic flow, alleviate parking problems and general safety concerns. One of the more important areas under the purview of the Traffic Bureau is Radar Enforcement, including the training and certification of our Police Officers in the use and operation of our radar units. We currently have 6 Vehicle Mounted radar units, one Hand-Held unit and a new, trailer mounted Digital Speed Display board. The Traffic Bureau coordinates traffic control at all special events in the borough and attends pre-construction meetings with contractors where recommendations are made to ease traffic flow in construction areas. __________________________________________________________________________ |
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Warrants Bureau |
