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CITY OF BURLINGTON POLICE DEPARTMENT HISTORY

The City of Burlington is rich in history.  Founded in 1677, the community once served as the “capitol of West Jersey”.  Within the history of the City of Burlington, is the proud tradition of the City of Burlington Police Department.

In 1976, Chief of Police George Clayton, (RET 1984) gave Detective John A. McBride, (Lieutenant, RET 1987) a special assignment.  McBride was detailed to gather a departmental history in preparation for the 300th anniversary of the founding of the City of Burlington. McBride, who scoured council meeting minutes, compiled the history you are about to read. I have condensed much of the information, and present the history in part as a timeline of fact and milestones.

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CITY POLICE TIMELINE: 21st Century  |  top of page

1796, the first mention of law enforcement in the City of Burlington concerns payment and states “a constable may collect four pounds, ten shillings and eight pence for his service.” The persons or person needing the service of the constable usually made the payment.  There is little mention of any other detail, except that the constables were elected.  The elections continue to be noted every few years through the early 1800s, and include names such as John Smith, Samuel Rogers, John Lowden and Eber Reeves.
• March 1836, a committee of four councilmen was formed to “propose such measures as necessary to improve the police of the city.” The findings of the committee were as follows: “the Mayor is naturally considered the head of the police department, and that the constables should be given suitable salaries”. Mr. John Tonkins and Mr. Sam Stevenson were consulted and signified their willingness to perform the duties of their office for a fair and regular compensation, which was granted at $20.00 a month, to be paid by the City. This is the reference point used as the official “birth” of an organized police department in the City of Burlington. Throughout the next several years, there are other appointments, referred to as “officers”. 
• March 1848, Lyceum Hall was purchased by the City of Burlington.  The building is presently located at 432 High St.   In May 1851, council approved an addition to the building, which contained two cells and was designated as the City prison.  The cost of the building addition was $800.00
• June 2, 1857, City Council adopted an ordinance further regulating the police.  The ordinance, in short, stated, “the mayor would appoint police officers, council could confirm or reject the appointment, and that removal for cause would be the absolute power of the mayor”.  By October 1858, the City of Burlington had five regular police officers.  Police salaries became an issue in 1861, as “one of the heaviest expenditures for the year was police salaries amounting $1000.00”. 
• 1863, The first Chief of Police in the City of Burlington would be appointed by then Mayor H. Hollenbach.  He would appoint Joseph L. Wright to serve in the position.  Chief Wright would only serve for a brief period of time, as mayor and council reassumed control of the police by 1870
• 1875, the first police Lieutenant was appointed.  His salary would be $500.00 per year.  His name was William S. Marter.
• 1877, the City of Burlington bought its police officers uniforms. Prior to this time, officers were required to buy their own uniforms.
• 1884, the first City attorney was appointed.  The ordinance provided that he was the “chief law officer and shall prosecute and defend all actions brought by or against any city office”. In June 1887, the police requested a raise from $40.00 per month to $50.00 per month.  This raise was approved in May 1888.
• March 1893 brought an ordinance that set down guidelines for discipline in the police department.  In short, “no police officer could be removed for political reasons. The only cause for discipline shall be as follows: incapacity, misconduct, non-residence or disobedience of rules and regulations. All charges must be in writing and submitted to the mayor in three days. The police committee will examine the charges for disposition”.
• 1897, the position of Captain was established.  The position was the subject of arguments between the council and mayor until 1902, when it was agreed upon.  In 1902 the police budget was $5000.00. 
• 1904, a petition was received from African American citizens asking that an African American police officer be appointed. The petition was read and received but not acted upon.
• September 1907, the first of three police call boxes was placed at the intersection of High and Broad Sts.  The City maintained six such boxes until 1987.
• December 3, 1907, Officer George Gusrang was shot and killed in the line of duty while investigating a robbery.  Council voted to pay for his funeral.  He was the first of two recorded line of duty deaths in the City of Burlington Police Department.
• 1911, the City of Burlington purchased the police department it’s first patrol wagon and horse.  This quickly changed, as in 1914 then Mayor Mount proposed a motorized “police patrol and ambulance vehicle which would reduce the expense of horse drawn vehicles”.
• August 4, 1914, Officer Thomas Rogan was shot to death while on duty.  Council voted to pay for his funeral.  This was the last line of duty death of a City of Burlington Police Officer.
• Early 1917, Councilman Farner introduced a motion for the police committee to draft the first set of police rules and regulations.  The motion was passed.
• 1920s, police officers were appointed deputy tax collectors to help collect taxes for the city. The first police patrol vehicle was purchased in 1921 at the cost of $1,800.00.  Shortly thereafter Officer George Dibbin became the first motorcycle officer.  The city provided that he have a telephone placed in his home for police calls.
• 1920s and 1930s Police business proceeds routinely, but police discipline occurs often. Officers and superiors are often charged with such things as sleeping on duty, drinking on duty and failure to make report. Many officers are dismissed. 
• 1940, the City of Burlington established a pension plan for officers.  There is little known about how it operated, but it was overseen by the police committee of council.   The year 1941 brought the use of a radio in patrol vehicles, and in 1943 two police station radios were purchased with the permission of the FCC and Army Interceptor Command.
• 1944, the City of Burlington submitted a petition to its voters to adopt the Civil Service Act.  That same year, Council adopted an ordinance governing the police reserve officers.
• 1948, the Police Officer salary in was $54.51 weekly.
• 1951, the newly formed Burlington Township Police Department linked up with our radio system.  Crime statistics for the year 1951:
  310 arrests, 1603 MV summons, 71 Juvenile cases and 210 accidents.
• 1952, George Schultz, a resident of the Burlington Island, was appointed “special officer of the island, responsible for the protection of the island”.
• August 31, 1954, The City Council passed an ordinance on creating the office of Chief of Police.  Peter J. Yeungling was appointed on September 7, 1954.  In 1958 the city hired the police department its first clerk typist.
• 1955, the police raise for 1956 was placed on a referendum.  By a vote of 1864 yes to 1818 no, the referendum passed.
• January 1959, council was deadlocked 6-6 on the budget.  The solicitor of the city convinced council to pass a temporary budget, as the Chief of Police was paying for gas for patrol vehicles out of his pocket. Council obliged three days later.
• January 1967, Lt. Ray Butterfield was made acting chief to replace retiring Chief Peter Yeungling.  Acting Chief Butterfield served until the results of the civil service test in August 1968, when George L. Clayton was made Chief of Police.  Chief Clayton would serve as Chief of Police until 1984.
• Late 1960s brought civil strife to the City of Burlington.  A diverse community, we suffered some of the same turmoil as larger cities. One of the results was the establishment of a Tactical Team in 1969, which continues as our current Special Response Team today.
• 1970s into the 1980s, The police department continued to grow through the seventies and into the eighties. There were experiments with diesel cars and new equipment.
• 1984 Chief Leroy Breece replaced the retired Chief George Clayton.  There were 38 police officers in the City of Burlington, and the population was approximately 12,000 persons.
• 1987, due to budgetary constraints, the City of Burlington transferred dispatch duties to Burlington County Central Communications. 
• 1989, the City Hall was found to be not suitable for habitation.  The police and other office were moved across the street to temporary offices.  This marked that beginning of several years of temporary headquarters.  In 1992, the police moved to trailers at the base of the Burlington Bristol Bridge, where we remained until 2003.  In 1995, Chief Bryon K. Marshall replaced the retired Chief Lee Breece.  Chief Marshall would serve until December 31, 2004.  On January 1, 2005 Chief John Lazzarotti was appointed by Mayor Darlene Scocca.
• Currently, the City of Burlington Police has 32 full time officers, 15 part time officers, 19 crossing guards and one animal control officer.  We serve a current population of 9,700 persons.

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