365 Summit Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07306
(201) 547-5440
Fax: (201)547-5443
Since the early 1900’s the Bureau of Criminal Identification (B.C.I.) has recorded and maintained records of every adult arrested
within the City of Jersey City. Earliest records were comprised of “mug shots” and criminal records including terms of incarcerations. Bertillon measurements were documented, listing biometric data which would individualize a prisoner.
When the use of fingerprint
impressions came into popular use in the early 20th century, the Jersey City B.C.I. began recording and cataloging fingerprint cards. The B.C.I.’s fingerprint files currently contain an estimated 200,000 fingerprint cards.
575 Route 440
Jersey City, NJ 07305
(201)547-5430
Fax: (201)547-5001
In September 1985 the Jersey City Police Department established a K-9 Unit. Two officers attended a sixteen week training course
at the NYC Transit Police Departement K-9 Training Center. These officers were teamed with German Sheperd dogs and were trained
as patrol canine teams. During the training the teams became efficient in obedience (voice and hand commands), article searches
(evidence and property), tracking of missing or wanted persons, field searches, criminal apprehension and handler protection.
In January 1986 these two teams began patrolling the streets of the city. In July of the same year, an additional two patrol
teams graduated from the NYC K-9 Center and joined the JCPD K-9 Unit.
The K-9 teams were eventually crossed trained as narcotic, explosve and arson detection canines. At its largest size the K-9 Unit
had six teams. During these years the K-9 Unit made over 300 felony type arrests, recovered large quantities of narcotics, seized
drug dealers' cash and vehicles, assisted with searches for missing persons, became members of the Emergency Services Unit Tactical
team, and presented Community Relations demonstrations to numerous groups within the City and County. After the year 2000, the
function of the K-9 Unit became solely scent detection.
575 Route 440
Jersey City, NJ 07305
(201)547-5430
Fax: (201)547-5001
The proud tradition of the Emergency Sevices Unit has changed little in the past seventy-five years of service to the Jersey City
Police Department and community. The unit started on February 10, 1931 and continues strong today.
The Emergency Services
Unit is a multi-purpose unit of the Jersey City Police Department. The unit provides numerous specialized services such as tactical
entry teams, federally trained snipers, a fully equipped SCUBA team, and an FBI-trained Bomb Squad. The latest addition
to the ESU is a new K-9 Unit which assists the Bomb Squad. Our tactical entry teams utilize automatic weapons, the latest technology
in bullet-resistant body armor and shields, and high-tech heat sensing/night vision equipment.Our Bomb Squad, part of the
New Jersey Render Safe Task Force, utilizes the latest robotic technology and equipment in the nation and can be dispatched to
aid other departments anywhere in the state.
The functions of the Emergency Service Unit do not end with the aforementioned. The unit provides additional essential services such
as assisting victims of motor vehicle accidents, oxygen calls using the latest defribrillation equipment, assisting emotionally
disturbed persons, and suicide attempts. The ESU also handles dangerous conditions such as downed trees, wires, and
poles, as well as other police responsibilities. ESU also handles various routine assignments such as securing and searching
crime scenes, assisting disabled motorists, helping locked-out citizens gain entry into their homes, and answering animal
complaints when the civilian services of the city are unavailable or need help capturing animals.
Everyday of the year, the thirty-five person Jersey City Police Emergency Services Unit operates around the clock. These professional
and dedicated police officers are prepared to answer any call, as as they did during the two New York City terrorist attacks
on the World Trade Center, to provide a safe and secure way of life for the citizens of Jersey City.
Police Officer Peterson and "Rommel"
Sgt Sollitti Processes Evidence at BCI
Modern technology has enabled the B.C.I. to access State & National fingerprint archives through the Integrated Automated
Fingerprint Identification System (I.A.F.I.S.). Through this database, a person arrested printed on the B.C.I.’s “Livescan”
can have their prints compared against a nationwide database and their true identity quickly and definitively established. Latent
prints found at crime scenes can also be compared to a voluminous data base in a fraction of the time previously taken to hand search
files
The B.C.I. also serves as the Department’s 24 hour, full service Crime Scene Unit. The B.C.I. locates, develops and lifts latent
fingerprints for comparison. B.C.I. officers photograph and document crime scenes. The Department also utilizes such modern
methods as a State of the Art Reflective Ultra Violet Imaging System to locate prints. Other alternate light sources are available
for the location of biological evidence for D.N.A. analysis. B.C.I. officers can also cast foot prints and toolmarks for comparison.
The
B.C.I. also has an FBI trained forensic artist available who can produce composite police sketches, fugitive updates, forensic facial
reconstructions and demonstrative evidence.
* Image in Banner courtesy of Reena Rose Sibayan, Jersey Journal
