New Jersey State Police
"Honor, Duty, Fidelity."
"Honor, Duty, Fidelity."
Mission Statement
Always act with the utmost integrity, and be honest and truthful. Enforce the laws equally and without bias. Hold yourself and other members to the highest ethical standards.
To protect and serve the public, prevent crime and apprehend offenders. Ensure the highest quality service to the public. Perform our duties honorably and accept the responsibility to carry them out. Our devotion to duty will never waiver.
Faithfully uphold the traditions of the New Jersey State Police. Strive to embody the principles under which we were founded. Maintain pride in yourself and the organization. Ensure that the code of HONOR, DUTY AND FIDELITY are your core values.
Core Functions
GENERAL POLICE SERVICES are all functions associated with the statewide enforcement of laws, the prevention of crime, the pursuit and apprehension of offenders, and the gathering of legal evidence to ensure conviction of such offenders. In certain municipalities, the division is the sole provider of these general police services. This function also includes the protection of state officials and properties, as well as the security of national and international officials while in the state.
GENERAL HIGHWAY AND TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT is the patrol of all state highways, the investigation of accidents and incidents on those highways, and the conduct of inspection and enforcement programs essential to the safety of citizens on those highways.
STATEWIDE INVESTIGATION AND INTELLIGENCE SERVICES are those unique functions essential to the identification and successful prosecution of criminal activities which, by their name, are so pervasive or complex that local police agencies are not able or equipped to pursue them effectively.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT is the statewide responsibility to prepare for, respond to and recover from emergent and disastrous incidents which occur beyond the capacity of municipalities and counties to effectively respond. In this capacity, the agency is also responsible for the coordination and support of emergency services at all levels, as well as the mitigation of the immediate damages from such incidents.
SUPPORT FOR STATE AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS is the provision of scientific and technical services in the conduct of all state investigations. Where such services are beyond the ability or capacity of county and local agencies and are requested by such agencies, the state agency may extend these services within the limits of its existing resources.
MAINTENANCE OF CRIMINAL RECORDS AND IDENTIFICATION SYSTEMS is the exclusive responsibility of the state agency in order to ensure a comprehensive, reliable and effective resource for all criminal, non-criminal and judicial related functions which, by law, require accurate identification.
REGULATION OF CERTAIN COMMERCE is the oversight of individuals and practices in businesses which the legislature has determined have a significant effect of the safety and welfare of the general public and, which by their nature, exert a statewide presence.
Superintendent's Bio
On Tuesday, October 31, 2017, Colonel Erik M. Cogswell was sworn in by Governor Chris Christie as the 14th Colonel of the New Jersey State Police.
In April 1995, Colonel Cogswell enlisted in the State Police as a member of the 115th Class. He served as Recovery Bureau Chief in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy and worked with state and federal partners to develop and implement long-term recovery effort strategies. Colonel Cogswell also served as the Commanding Officer of the Emergency Management Section and Assistant State Director of the Office of Emergency Management. He was the chairman of the Command and Control Subcommittee of the Emergency Management Section when New Jersey hosted Super Bowl XLVIII, working to develop and implement all operations undertaken by the Public Safety Compound.
Colonel Cogswell most recently served as the Deputy Superintendent of Operations, supervising and directing the operational activities of the 1,800 enlisted members assigned to Field Operations as well as the operational duties and responsibilities of the Traffic and Public Safety Office, Victims Services Unit, Fatal Accident Investigation Unit, Highway Traffic Safety Unit, and the Criminal Investigations Offices within Field Operations.
Colonel Cogswell earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Villanova University and a Master of Administrative Science from Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Colonel Cogswell is the son of retired State Police Major Joseph Cogswell, who served as Division Staff Section Commanding Officer under Colonel Clinton Pagano, the 9th Superintendent of the State Police. Colonel Cogswell resides in Atlantic County with his wife Linda, two sons and two daughters.