Cranford Police Dept. Achieves Re-Accreditation

This marks the third occasion since December of 2006 that the department has earned accreditation status.

On Feb. 14, Cranford Police Chief Eric Mason, along with Detective Sergeant Gerard Quinn and Detective Sergeant Craig Marino, appeared before the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies.  Following the hearing, the commission voted unanimously to award re-accreditation status to the Cranford Police Department. This marks the third occasion since December of 2006 that the department has earned accreditation status.  Accreditation status is granted by the commission for a three year period.  An accredited agency must then apply for re-accreditation and go through the entire accreditation process again.  An accredited agency must submit annual reports and submit to an onsite …

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Remembering Patrolman Robert F. Hand

The 19-year veteran of the Cranford police force was killed during a car chase nearly 40 years ago.

The last day of Patrolman Robert Hand's watch was nearly 40 years ago today. A section of Springfield Avenue that runs by the municipal building bears his name, and you can see a painting of Hand near the entrance to the council chambers. According to Chief of Police Eric Mason, the patrolman's accidental death while in pursuit of a suspect is one of the reasons why Cranford Police are not allowed to engage in high-speed chases. There's a dedication page on the township's website that tells Hand's story. You can read some of it below. --- Patrolman Robert F. Hand sacrificed his life protecting and serving the citizens of Cranford on February 11, 1975 following a motor vehicle pursuit.  At about 8:45 p.m. Patrolman Hand, a 19 year veteran …

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Cranford Arrest Report: Men Hit With Narcotics, DWI Charges

The following information was provided by the Cranford Police Department. An arrest does not indicate a conviction, only a court of law can make that determination.

There were arrests for driving while intoxicated, possession of prescription drugs and possession of marijuana. Here's what happend, according to Cranford Police reports pulled from Facebook.  

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Man Charged With DWI, Baby Seat Violation

This arrest information is provided by Cranford police. These charges are allegations and do not indicate guilt, only a court of law can make that decision.

Cranford Police arrested a 62-year-old East Orange man last Friday night on charges of driving while intoxicated, and for not having a baby in a child seat. Following the arrest, a 3-year-old girl was taken to the Cranford police station and released to a relative. Patrolman Steven D' Ambola said in the report that he stopped Headley's green 1996 Acura around 7:20p.m. near Centennial Avenue and Hayes Street for the child seat violation. After an investigation Headley was arrested for DWI and later released. He appears in Cranford Municipal Court today to answer to the charges.

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Officials Seek Township Administrator To Replace Mason

Police Chief Eric Mason has informed the Township Committee that he plans to resign from his position as the township administrator at the end of this year.

The Township Committee has started its search for a township administrator to replace Police Chief Eric Mason, who has served as an interim administrator since September of 2011. Mason informed the governing body that as of Dec. 31, he will step down from his position as the interim administrator — a position he has held for more than a year — and focus solely on his role as the township's police chief. "At our last meeting, Commissioner (Lisa) Adubato mentioned that as of Dec. 31, he would resume working (solely) in the police department," Mayor David Robinson said, adding that Mason will continue to work with the Township Committee and his replacement administrator as a new employee transitions into the role. Adubato serves as the …

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Cranford Police Department Seeks Reaccreditation From State

The public can call in on Dec. 10 to ask questions and address the assessors.

The Cranford Police Department is seeking professional reaccreditation through the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, whose distinguished members represent the finest in the law enforcement profession in the state of New Jersey The NJSACOP bases its recognition on measurement of an agency’s performance in adhering to 112 “best practice” standards developed for law enforcement organizations throughout the state. The Cranford Police Department was initially accredited in December 2006, and reaccredited in December 2009. This will be the agency’s second application for reaccreditation. The overall purpose of the NJSACOP accreditation program was designed to improve delivery of law enforcement service by offering a body of …

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Police Blotter

Police Blotter: Motor Vehicle Stop Leads To Drug Arrest

The following information was obtained from the Cranford Police Department. An arrest does not indicate a conviction.

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Decision 'Will be Made Soon' To Appoint Full-Time Administrator

The Township Committee is anticipating an opening for the job of police chief, and has conducted interviews in anticipation of a vacancy.

Although Cranford Police Chief Eric Mason has yet to officially announce his retirement — a move that was expected several months ago — officials say they have conducted interviews to fill his position if and when it becomes available. During the Township Committee meeting Tuesday night, township officials said they are continuing to move forward with plans to appoint Mason as the full-time township administrator. Mason has simultaneously worked as police chief and interim township administrator since September, 2011. "It remains our goal that Eric Mason becomes our administrator and that the police chief situation gets (resolved) as well," Commissioner Lisa Adubato Nesi said, adding that "this issue must transcend all politics. Adubato …

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Personnel Issues Top Township Committee Closed Session Agenda

The governing body will conduct a closed session meeting tonight to discuss personnel issues involving the police and finance departments and township administrator.

The Cranford Township Committee will go into closed session during a special workshop meeting at 7:30 p.m. this evening to dicsuss a number of issues including personnel matters involving the Police Department, Finance Department and Office of the Township Administrator, according to a public notice issued by Township Clerk Tara Rowley. In addition, officials will discuss legal cases involving the town including Cranford Development Associates - the LLC that owns the Birchwood Avenue property; Lehigh Acquisition and Occidental Chemical Corp. The committee will also review a OPRA request regarding minutes from a previous closed session.

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Chief's Transition To Full-Time Township Admin. Closer To Becoming Reality

The Township Committee will interview candidates tonight and tomorrow to take over Interim Township Administrator/Police Chief Eric Mason's position.

The Township Comittee will spend the next two evenings interviewing candidates for the position of police chief, paving the way for current Chief Eric Mason to take over the duties of township administrator on a full-time basis. Mason has worked as both police chief and interim township administrator since last September, when former administrator Marlena Schmid was placed on involuntary administrative leave. Schmid is no longer employed by the township. According to Schmid's attorney, Cranford resident Frank Capece, the former township administrator worked for the town for 12 years and left her position "in good standing." "We are resuming the search for a police chief," Deputy Mayor Andis Kalnins confirmed late Tuesday after public …

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