By Andrew Martins
Staff Writer
JACKSON – Information regarding the number of calls received and the crimes addressed by the Jackson Police Department during 2015 was recently provided by the department, giving the public a glimpse into the efforts of the force that employs more than 80 individuals.
“Calls for service can range from minor problems to emergency calls,” Capt. Steven Laskiewicz wrote on the department’s Facebook page. “The members of the Jackson Police Department proudly serve our residents and visitors to the township and make every effort to respond to these calls in an efficient and effective manner.”
While the posted information was not offered as a complete picture into the number of calls and types of issues Jackson police officers face in a given year, officials still listed 17 call types and their frequency.
According to the police department, officers conducted 11,470 motor vehicle stops and responded to 1,775 motor vehicle collisions and 638 disabled vehicle calls. Police made 120 arrests that led to charges of driving while intoxicated being lodged against motorists.
According to the information, police responded to more than 2,200 alarms, dealt with disputes or disorderly persons 1,147 times and performed crisis intervention and welfare checks on residents 1,120 times.
Nearly 13,400 security checks were performed by Jackson police officers during 2015. More than 1,700 suspicious persons calls and suspicious vehicle calls were answered. Motor vehicle burglaries and residential/commercial burglaries resulted in 70 and 97 calls, respectively.
In total, Jackson police arrested 1,090 individuals during 2015.
In accordance with guidelines established by the state Attorney General’s office, the police department reported public complaints that were made against its officers.
According to police, there were 45 internal affairs investigations conducted in 2015 to examine complaints that were made against officers. The allegations leveled against police included excessive force (2), improper arrest (2), differential treatment (2) and demeanor complaints (6). The remaining 33 inquiries were the result of other departmental rule violations, which required random drug testing.
Police said 15 complaints were sustained and discipline was handed down to offending officers.
In other news, Laskiewicz reported that Capt. John Siedler, Capt. Andrew Cheney and Lt. Michael Cunningham retired in 2015, while Sgt. Richard Bosley, Sgt. Fred Meabe, Sgt. Michael Friedman, Lt. John Convery, Lt. John Giovanetti and Laskiewicz were promoted to their current ranks.
The police department serves nearly 60,000 residents in a 100-square-mile community that includes a significant amount of commuter traffic and attractions that include Six Flags Great Adventure and the Jackson Premium Outlets.
Laskiewicz said the department may need to increase its personnel with the expected population growth and commercial influx the construction of the Jackson Twenty-One project will bring.
“The agency is seeking to remain proactive as they respond to residents’ concerns of traffic enforcement, DWI enforcement, burglaries and the use of heroin and other narcotic use, which has increased not only in the township, but the state as a whole,” Laskiewicz wrote. “We look forward to 2016 and in doing our part to continue to make Jackson a safe community.”