History of the Traffic Association of Central/West Jersey

#1

TRAFFIC OFFICERS ASSOCIATION OF CENTRAL/WEST JERSEY, INC.

The original association began in 1993 when it was the Somerset County Traffic Officers Association. The initial membership was 18 police departments and 3 civilian agencies. The Association was formed to provide a local voice for local traffic issues and concerns. The issues could have been from law enforcement or the public or a combination of both.

In 1995 the group grew to include Hunterdon County. Membership rose to 26 police departments and 3 civilian agencies and the name was changed to the Somerset/Hunterdon County Traffic Officers Association. Special emphasize was placed on educating law enforcement officers in advanced crash investigation and reconstruction as well as updating traffic law enforcement training. In September 1994 the Somerset/Hunterdon Traffic Officers adopted their first emblem (#1).

This emblem remained current until November 1995 when it was changed to a shield type shape (#2).

In May 1997 the Association voted to make several bylaw changes which would allow law enforcement agencies and civilian groups from Warren County to join. The name changed to what it is currently and the membership rose to 34 departments and 4 civilian agencies. The emblem was changed to reflect the new area (#3).

The emblem was slightly modified in January 1998 and remained unchanged until August of 2002 (#4). In August 2002 the association emblem changed to what it currently remains (#5).

Education has always remained a big goal of this association. It is our desire to do whatever we can to ensure that the officers of our tri-county area are trained as best as possible. This training allows us to provide to the area we protect and serve the best possible police protection in the arena of traffic safety.

Also in 2002 the traffic officers, in conjunction with the County Chiefs of Police Associations of Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren Counties, started a program by which officers from each county are honored for their efforts in the field of Traffic Safety. Along with this program each law enforcement department and agency of the three counties gained membership to the association. Current membership is 55 police agencies and 6 civilian agencies.

The Original Executive Board (1993)

President                   Robert A. Verry                   South Bound Brook PD

Vice President          Michael H. Brunson            Branchburg Twsp. PD

Secretary                   Christopher J. Rokicki         Franklin Twsp. PD

Treasurer                   Gary Stramaglia                  Raritan Boro PD

Sgt at Arms               Arthur Marsh                        Bridgewater Twsp. PD

Chief’s Liaison         Charles Fortenbacher           Bernards Twsp. PD