Functions of the Sheriff's Office

COURT SECURITY DIVISION

Undersheriff Vincent DeTrolio, a twenty-six-year law enforcement veteran, directs the Court Security Division.

EMERGENCY MEDICAL RESPONSE TEAMS

The Sheriff's Office has developed an Emergency Medical Response team consisting of ten Sheriff's Officers who maintain EMT certification. Team members respond to medical emergencies that develop in the Court House Complex. Sheriff's Officers evaluate the situation, stabilize the victim and request the appropriate medical response from Elizabeth's Emergency Medical Services. These Emergency Medical Teams have responded to over 48 medical calls during 2000.

Five Sheriff's Officers are American Heart Association CPR instructors. They have conducted CPR classes for Sheriff's Officers, judicial staff and county employees during 2000.

The emergency medical response team currently has six defibrillators, one in each building, for which all members are qualified to use.

The Emergency Medical response team is directed by Sergeant Charles Readie and Sergeant Trevor Clarke.

TRANSPORTATION UNIT

The primary responsibility of the Transportation Unit is the movement of Union County Jail inmates to other correctional institutions, area hospitals, psychiatric facilities and other County or Municipal Courts.

Transportation team members serve as a backup to CourtHouse Security and Courtroom Security staff. These Officers frequently fill in during periods of staffing shortages. Local police departments and the Union County Prosecutors Office have requested the Transportation Unit's assistance during raids and periods of civil disturbance. Team members are recognized for their professionalism and experience in the movement of large numbers of prisoners.

The Transportation Unit is supervised by Sgt. John Murphy and is staffed by twelve Sheriff's Officers.

INVESTIGATIVE DIVISION

The Investigative Division consist of the Fugitive Investigations Unit, the Domestic Violence Unit and the Search and Rescue Unit. Each unit has its own special area of responsibility. The unit commanders report to Captain Barry Migliore who coordinates all Investigative Division activity.

FUGITIVE INVESTIGATION UNIT

This unit is responsible for the apprehension of fugitives who are the subject of Union County Bench Warrants. These fugitives are wanted by the courts for various reasons which include bail jumping, violation of probation, failure to appear for scheduled court appearances, or domestic non- support. New Bench Warrants issued each year number in the thousands.

The execution of any arrest warrant is an extremely hazardous task. Sheriff's Officers put themselves at great risk when they follow leads and pursue fugitives into their own environment. Early morning raids have proven to be an effective tool in apprehending fugitives when they are most vulnerable to arrest. Our warrant teams do not restrict their activity to towns located in Union County and follow a fugitive's trail across the state.

Lieutenant Roxann Banek supervises the Fugitive Investigations Unit; directs a staff of three Sergeants, two Detectives, eight Sheriff's Officers and 3 clerks to meet the rising tide of new warrants that are issued each year.

EXTRADITIONS & RENDITIONS

Many fugitives from justice elect to flee to another state in an attempt to avoid apprehension. This decision to flee creates additional work for Law Enforcement Officers charged with their apprehension. The Sheriff's Extradition Unit is responsible for tracking these fugitives. The NCIC and the SCIC computer systems have proven to be invaluable tools in locating out of state fugitives.

Once a fugitive is located the Extradition Unit must prepare the proper paperwork and make the necessary arrangements to return the fugitive to New Jersey. This effort may even involve securing a Governor's Warrant for a fugitive who chooses to fight the extradition process.

The return of Union County fugitives arrested in other states can become a costly proposition. The Union County Sheriff's Office makes every effort to hold down these costs but the final extradition decision rest with the Prosecutor's Office. During the year 2003 total extradition costs were $39,044. A percentage of this cost is recouped from the forfeiture of bail money posted by the defendant.

The Extradition Unit is a subsection of the Fugitive Investigation Unit. Detective Kenneth Pirnes coordinates all extradition activity.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE UNIT

Family violence is an incipient disease that has plagued society since the beginning of man's social history. Unfortunately, it was not recognized for its consequences and victims were forced to live in silence by misapplied guilt and society's choice to look the other way. The issue of Domestic Violence rose to the level of social consciousness in the mid 1980's. Since that time legislators, law enforcement executives, social organizations and church groups have worked tirelessly to protect domestic violence victims and educate the public that this form of social behavior is both unacceptable and intolerable.

In 1988 Sheriff Ralph Froehlich established New Jersey's first Family Violence Unit. Members of this unit have been carefully selected and receive specialized training in conflict resolution, family dynamics and domestic violence laws. The Family Violence Unit works during the evening when it has the greatest opportunity for contact with both the victims and offenders.

The primary responsibility of the Family Violence Unit is the service of Temporary Restraining Orders upon domestic violence defendants. This often involves the eviction of the offender from the residence. Evictions are emotional events with a great potential for renewed violence. Sheriff's Officers must enforce the law without passing judgement on the defendant.

In November 1992, the Sheriff's Office and the Elizabeth Police Department joined together to form a Family Violence Assistance Unit.

This team consists of Sheriff's Detective Sharon Geddes and an Elizabeth Patrolman. They respond to all domestic violence incidents in the city of Elizabeth, enforce the restraining orders, council the victims on their rights and identify agencies that are available for continued support during the crisis period.

Sergeant Christian Martens directs the Family Violence Unit. He is assisted eight Sheriff's Officers. There is also one Officer assigned to the joint venture with the Elizabeth Police Department.

Sergeant Martens also directs the night municipal transport unit and the 2 officers assigned to it.