Hackensack Police
Youth Division

The Hackensack Police Youth Division investigates all criminal offenses committed by juveniles under the age of 18, as well as reports of child abuse and neglect. The Youth Division works very closely with the local school officials to foster a healthy and productive learning environment for the youth attending our schools. Along with investigating all juvenile crimes, the Youth Division has incorporated numerous youth programs:

D.A.R.E. – Drug Awareness Resistance Education, is currently taught to all 5th and 8th grade students in Hackensack.
This newly revised 10-week course will be taught once a week and is designed to educate the students on the dangerous effects of drugs and alcohol abuse. The 8th grade program reinforces the basic elements of DARE. For further information contact Det. Sgt. Michael Williams (DARE Officer in Charge) 201-646-7731.

School Resource Officer Program – The Hackensack school resource officer program began in 1982 at the Hackensack High School. The police officer assigned to this position has direct contact with high school students, guardians and school officials.
The school resource officer patrols the high school complex in an effort to educate, preserve the peace, protect persons and property within the school community, while enforcing federal, state and local laws. The school resource officer’s goals are to provide positive relationship between students, staff and the law enforcement community. For further information, contact the Youth Division at 201-646-7732.

The Hackensack Police Youth Academy – The Hackensack Police Youth Academy is a one-week academy held in the summer. The goal of the Police Youth Academy is to give each cadet an idea of the type of training that is required to become a police officer, while allowing the police officer’s the ability to bond with the youth of our community. The five-day curriculum includes various presentations from guest law enforcement agencies, field trips, military drills, and physical training. The Hackensack Police Youth Academy started in 2001 and has graduated an average of 85 cadets each year. We are looking foreword to the start of each class; registration begins in April. For further information, contact the Youth Division at 201-646-7732.

Gang Awareness - Detectives from the Youth Division provide power point presentations educating the community regarding gang life. By taking a proactive approach the Youth Division can educate the community and deter gangs attempts to recruit the youth of our community. For further information, contact the Youth Division at 201-646-7732.

School Security Surveys – The Youth Division discusses the security conditions at the schools with administration, staff and students, making continuous upgrades in an effort to provide a safe secure environment for all the children and staff who attend our schools. For further details contact Lt. Patrick Fay – 201-646-7592

Bicycle Registration Program – The Hackensack Police Youth Division provides residents with a bicycle registration program. Every Saturday morning from 9:00 to 1200 residents can respond to police headquarters and register their bicycles. City residents as well as schools are provided upon request bicycle safety programs. For further details contact the Youth Division – 201-646-7732

Bullying and School Violence – Detectives from the Youth Division provide programs regarding bullying and school violence. The bullying program is geared for the elementary level students were incidents of bullying are most prevalent. School violence programs are given when a specific problem has been identified. For further information, contact the Youth Division at 201-646-7732.