The Bradley Beach Police Department
Established in 1893


Mission Statement:

It is the mission of the Bradley Beach Police Department to provide the public with safety and services which are designed to efficiently, equitably and effectively prevent crime and safeguard the lives and property of the residents and visitors of the Borough. Our mandate is to do so with integrity and honor, while at all times conducting ourselves with the highest ethical standards to maintain the public’s trust and collaboration.


The Police Department reminds everyone to use care and protect personal belongings by always securing items such as homes, cars, bicycles or other items to help us prevent loss.

Thank you.

Important Information

The Bradley Beach Police Department currently uses the following two types of Body Worn Cameras, the Motorola V300 and the Watch Guard Vista.

Bradley Beach Police Department BWC Policy

Officer In Charge

Captain James Arnold

Police Officers

Det./Lieutenant Terry Browning

Lieutenant Anthony Murray

Sgt. Josephine Celauro

Sgt. Michael Tardio

Sgt. William Major

Patrolman Kevin Gale

Patrolman Rafiq Pickett

Det. Gregory Pancza

Patrolman Andrew Redmond

Patrolman Edwin Hernandez

Patrolman Christopher Hingston

Det. Christopher Wilson

Patrolman Justin Poblete

Patrolman Anthony Badalamenti

Patrolman Ian Ambrose

Patrolman Sean Johnsen

On April 19, 1893, the Borough of Bradley Beach passed an ordinance authorizing the office of “Marshal”. Charles A. Bennett was appointed the first marshal of Bradley Beach.

The first sworn Chief of Police was Charles J. Poland who served from 1935 to 1950. The future Chief’s served in the following order:

  • Robert E. Farry 1950 to 1951, and was later elected as Borough Commissioner.
  • Harry T. Gaunt – 1951 through 1971.
  • Eugene T. Myles – 1972 to 1988.
  • Alfred E. Trimble – 1988 to 1992.
  • Robert DeNardo -1992 through 2006.
  • Leonard A. Guida -2007-2024.
  • James C. Arnold, Jr. – 2024 – Present

The operation of the Police Department has changed dramatically through the years, from foot patrols and “on the beat cop” to the use of bicycle patrols and marked police vehicles. The Bradley Beach Police Department currently has marked and covert police vehicles outfitted with the latest equipment such as mobile computer terminals, speed radar units, license plate readers and various life-saving equipment including floatation devices and AED defibrillators.

As the Borough has grown, so has the Police Department. The department currently has eighteen full time officers, with officers assigned to the detective bureau, traffic safety, community services and the D.A.R.E. Program.

Within the department there are four full-time dispatchers, school crossing guards, police matrons and special police that assist the department and provide additional security to our children during school hours and our increased beachfront population during the summer.

The Bradley Beach Police Department has come a long way since 189, we will continue to meet the needs of the residents and protect and serve the community.

Emergencies call the Bradley Beach Police Department at (732)-775-6900 or call 9-1-1. Stay tuned to your local radio stations for evacuation and emergency information or sign up for our emergency notification system by contacting Borough Hall at 732-776-2999 x.1010

Please contact the Bradley Beach Police Department at any time day or night if you have any questions or concerns at 732-775-6900. In case of an emergency you may always call 911 or phone the police department directly at  732-775-6900. We ask that you contact us immediately if you observe any suspicious persons or activity at any time. Help us keep Bradley Beach a safe community for all residents and visitors.

Motor Vehicle Crash Reports:

Motor Vehicle Crash Reports may be downloaded online by visiting :  http://www.crashdocs.org

Attorney’s Requests for Discovery:

Requests for discovery must be submitted in formal written form and submitted to the Police Department Detective Bureau (Attn: Discovery). Any questions can be directed to our detective bureau personnel through our main phone number at 732-775-6900.

BRADLEY BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT
701 MAIN STREET
BRADLEY BEACH, NEW JERSEY 07720
Phone 732-775-6900
Fax 732-774-3108

Captain James Arnold, Officer in Charge

A request for Public Records must be submitted to the above address on an Open Public Records Act Request form available at 701 Main Street, Bradley Beach or under the forms center on the  borough website. If your request is approved it will be available within seven business days pursuant to the statute. If a requested document is not a public record pursuant to the statute or if it cannot be provided within seven business days, you will be notified in writing. Fees for copying public records are set by statute as follows: A copy of a letter size (or smaller)  government record is $0.05 and $0.07 per legal size. Electronic (email) record requests are free of charge. Any computer disc, CD-ROM, DVD, shall be the actual cost of duplication. Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 47:1 A05c., this office may impose a reasonable special service charge if the nature, format, manner of collation, or volume of a government record is such that it cannot be reproduced by ordinary document copying equipment, in ordinary business size or involves an extraordinary expenditure of time and effort to accommodate your request.

The terms “public record” and “government record” in New Jersey do not include:
  • Criminal investigatory records
  • Victim’s records
  • Inter-agency or intra-agency advisory, consultative, or deliberative material
  • Emergency or security information or procedures for buildings or facilities
  • Administrative or technical information regarding computer hardware, software and networks which, if disclosed, would jeopardize computer security
  • Information regarding labor-management negotiations including statements of strategy or negotiating position
  • Pension and personnel records in possession of this department.

Pursuant to the December 2021 Attorney General Guideline “Promoting Diversity in Law Enforcement Recruiting and Hiring,” the Bradley Beach Police Department is committed to doing all that we can to hiring staff who reflect the community that we serve. See N.J.S.A.52:17B-4.10.

2020 Census Data indicates that Bradley Beach’s population is 70% White, 23% Hispanic, 1% African American, and 4% Asian. As of December 31, 2023, the Bradley Beach Police Department had 18 Sworn Officers: 78% were white, 6% African American, 6% Hispanic, 6% Pacific Islander and 6% Native American. We currently have one female police officer.

Through job fairs, such as the outreach event held by the Monmouth County Chiefs of Police at Brookdale Community College, the A.L.P.S. High School Junior Student Meet & Greet, and community events such as the annual National Night Out, we will continue to strive to enhance our efforts to seek diverse applicants to join our police department.

Eligibility Criteria for Police Officer Applicants

  • The general qualifications for employment with the Bradley Beach Police Department are:
  • Must be a resident of New Jersey and a citizen of the United States.
  • Must be of sound body and of good health
  • Able to read, write and speak the English language well and intelligently.
  • Must be of good moral character, and never have been convicted of any criminal offense involving moral turpitude.
  • Must have completed two years of college achieving an associate degree or be a currently certified police officer waivable for certification by the New Jersey Police Training Commission.
  • Have the ability to perform all the tasks and duties of a Police Officer.
  • Possess a valid New Jersey driver’s license.
  • Have successfully passed the police officer’s entry-level written and physical examination administered and or approved by the Monmouth County Chiefs of Police Association.

Background Investigation

During the hiring process, a comprehensive background investigation will be conducted.

Following a conditional offer of employment, applicants are required to submit to:

  • Medical examination
  • Psychological examination
  • Drug screening

Salary and Benefits

  • Starting academy salary is $42,000
  • Vacation time
  • Personal time
  • Health benefits and participation in the Police and Fire Retirement System

For additional information on Recruitment and Employment with the Bradley Beach Police Department contact:

James C. Arnold Jr.,
Chief of Police
732-775-6900
jarnold@bradleybeachpd.com

***The Bradley Beach Police Department is an Equal Opportunity Employer***

Bradley Beach Police Department Recruiting Plan

Annual Report of Diversity and Hiring

Staff Contacts

Name Title Phone
James Arnold Chief of Police (732) 775-6900 Ext. 2013