New Jersey State Park Police

10/22/2026

The New Jersey State Park Police thanks the partner agencies who assisted with the successful search for a missing 15-year-old male at Monmouth Battlefield State Park on Oct. 21. The juvenile was located and reunited with their family Wednesday evening.

The search included ground search teams, aviation resources, drones, K-9 units and community emergency response teams.

In addition to the New Jersey State Park Police, the search was supported by New Jersey State Parks, New Jersey State Police, New Jersey Office of Emergency Management, the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office, Monmouth County Rapid Deployment Force, Monmouth County Office of Emergency Management, Manalapan Township Police Department, Freehold Township Police Department, Englishtown Police Department and New Jersey Search & Rescue.
New Jersey State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection

10/21/2026

UPDATE- LOCATED & REUNITED w/FAMILY

New Jersey State Park Police, assisted by other agencies, are conducting a search for a 15-year-old male who was reported missing while participating in a school program at Monmouth Battlefield State Park. The park’s main day-use area is closed to visitors at this time.

10/03/2026

🎉 CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF SERVICE — OFFICER BRUCE ROBESON, BADGE #771 🎉

It is with great honor that the New Jersey State Park Police announces the retirement and final sign-off of Officer Bruce Robeson, Badge #771, following 25 years of dedicated service to the State of New Jersey.

Bruce began his career with the State on September 23, 2001, as a State Park Maintenance Employee, serving at Bass River and Wharton State Forests.

On March 19, 2004, he continued his commitment to public service by becoming a New Jersey State Park Ranger. After graduating from the Burlington County Police Academy as a member of Class #89, Bruce began a law enforcement career that would take him throughout New Jersey’s State Parks and Forests, with assignments at Cape May Point State Park, Island Beach State Park, Wharton State Forest, Brendan T. Byrne State Forest, and finally Bass River State Forest.

🐾 In 2010, Bruce was selected as an original member of the New Jersey State Park Police K-9 Unit, helping establish the department’s inaugural K-9 program. Partnered with K-9 Lilly for eight years, Bruce supported patrol operations, searches, and special assignments throughout the state while helping build the foundation for the K-9 Unit that proudly continues its mission today.

Bruce also served as a member of the department’s Honor Guard, representing the New Jersey State Park Police with professionalism and distinction.

Throughout his career, Bruce demonstrated an unwavering commitment to his profession and a genuine passion for serving the visitors of New Jersey’s State Parks, Forests and Historic Sites. But those who had the privilege of working alongside him will remember just as much the person behind Badge #771—his warm smile, positive demeanor, friendship, and willingness to always lend a hand.

Effective October 1, 2026, Officer Bruce Robeson officially closes the book on an incredible 25-year career of public service.

Bruce, on behalf of the entire New Jersey State Park Police family and a grateful State, thank you for 25 years of honorable and dedicated service. Your contributions—especially the legacy you helped establish within our K-9 Unit—will continue long after your final shift.

May God bless you and your family with many years of health, happiness, new adventures, and a well-earned retirement.

09/25/2026

Due to the impending coastal storm, Island Beach State Park and Barnegat Lighthouse State Park will close for all use at dusk today, Friday, Sept. 25, and remain closed throughout the duration of the storm.
Both parks are expected to remain closed through Sunday. Before reopening, park staff will assess storm impacts to ensure the park is safe for visitors.
Updates on reopening will be shared on New Jersey State Parks social media channels and through the Island Beach State Park and Barnegat Lighthouse State Park email lists. To sign up for email updates, visit: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/NJDEP/subscriber/new?topic_id=NJDEP_97&fbclid=IwY2xjawUjqOhleHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mAWJyaWQRMWJ0VHdFT1N0RFByN1lKdVJzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeFXOUXLuCS6RRqFa2qpgt0nYJMMgwLXPj_AtIeGKQd1uklr_7s-ZJNvlA77M_aem_Nl9u0YMWs1gs7hRQrjxHxQ

Due to the impending coastal storm, Island Beach State Park and Barnegat Lighthouse State Park will close for all use at dusk today, Friday, Sept. 25, and remain closed throughout the duration of the storm.

Both parks are expected to remain closed through Sunday. Before reopening, park staff will assess storm impacts to ensure the park is safe for visitors.

Updates on reopening will be shared on New Jersey State Parks social media channels and through the Island Beach State Park and Barnegat Lighthouse State Park email lists. To sign up for email updates, visit: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/NJDEP/subscriber/new?topic_id=NJDEP_97

09/23/2026

The New Jersey State Park Police stand with our brothers and sisters of the New Jersey Forest Fire Service in mourning the loss of Section Forest Fire Warden Quincy Jones.

Our deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, and the entire Forest Fire Service family.

Rest in peace, Quincy. Your service will not be forgotten.

09/11/2026

The New Jersey State Park Police will never forget Sept. 11, 2001. On Sept. 10, 2026, 25-years after the attacks, the New Jersey State Park Police retired Badge No. 911 during a commemoration at the Empty Sky Memorial at Liberty State Park alongside Governor Mikie Sherrill.

Badge No. 911 will never be issued to an officer. Instead, it will be displayed at Liberty State Park as a permanent symbol of remembrance and a reminder of the role the park and its staff played on Sept. 11, 2001.

As the evacuation of Lower Manhattan by boat began following the attacks, thousands arrived at Liberty State Park seeking refuge. State Park Rangers, the predecessors of today’s State Park Police, along with maintenance workers, superintendents, naturalists, historians and seasonal employees, stepped forward to help. They assisted evacuees as they came off boats, helped wash the ash from their bodies, and provided comfort and support for those beginning to process what they had experienced.

In the weeks and months that followed, the historic Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal in the park served as a family assistance center for people seeking information and support while searching for loved ones.

Badge No. 911 now stands at Liberty State Park so this history is never forgotten.

Liberty State Park is the host site of the Empty Sky Memorial, the official State of New Jersey memorial honoring the 750 people who lived in or had ties to New Jersey and lost their lives at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, on Sept. 11, 2001. Learn more about the Empty Sky Memorial: https://dep.nj.gov/parksandforests/get-outside/empty-sky-memorial/

08/20/2026

We are pleased to share that Chief Fedorczyk has been selected to participate in a panel discussion alongside state park law enforcement leaders from across the country at the upcoming National Association of State Park Directors (NASPD) Conference, being held September 14–18, 2026, in New Orleans, Louisiana.

NASPD brings together state park leaders from all 50 states and U.S. territories to strengthen and support America’s state park systems. The organization promotes collaboration, professional development, the exchange of best practices, and the advancement of state parks and their contributions to our nation’s environment, heritage, health, and economy.

The panel will provide an opportunity to share experiences, exchange best practices, and discuss emerging issues facing park law enforcement, including public safety and the protection of the natural, historic, and cultural resources entrusted to our care.

The New Jersey State Park Police is proud to have Chief Fedorczyk represent our agency and the State of New Jersey on the national stage, demonstrating our continued commitment to public safety, resource protection, and the preservation of New Jersey’s treasured State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites for future generations.

07/31/2026

07/28/2026

YOU’RE INVITED! Join New Jersey State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites on Tuesday, Aug. 11, at Allaire State Park in Monmouth County for National Night Out, an evening of family-friendly fun celebrating New Jersey's natural resources and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection partners who help protect and preserve them.

📍 Allaire State Park, Monmouth County
📅 Tuesday, August 11
🕠 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Participating agencies include the New Jersey State Park Police, New Jersey State Parks, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, Fish & Wildlife, Conservation Police, Watershed & Land Management, and more.

Bring the whole family for an evening packed with:
🐾 K-9 demonstrations
🚒 Emergency vehicles & equipment displays
🎯 Games & kids activities
🎁 Giveaways & more!

VENDORS WANTED 🍦
The State Park Police is seeking local organizations and performers interested in donating their time to help host kids activities, outdoor demonstrations, live music, crafts, food donations and games at the event. To get involved, please contact [email protected]

ABOUT NATIONAL NIGHT OUT 🚔
National Night Out, also known as America’s Night Out Against Crime, began in 1984 as an initiative to help communities and police come together to fight crime in their neighborhoods. The New Jersey State Park Police has hosted the Department of Environmental Protection's National Night Out event for the past three years.

07/27/2026

As part of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Youth Inclusion Initiative, young people from overburdened communities have the opportunity meet with staff to learn about careers with the New Jersey Forest Fire Service and the New Jersey State Park Police.

Last week, participants visited the Forest Fire Service’s Coyle Field Air Attack Base in Burlington County to explore careers as a Section Forest Firewarden, Forest Fire Equipment Mechanic, Forest Fire Pilot, Division Forest Firewarden, State Park Police Officer and K-9 Officer.

Participants learned about the specialized equipment used to fight wildland fires and observed how prescribed fire is implemented. They also watched a demonstration of State Park Police K-9 Jetty, a trailing bloodhound trained to track and locate missing and wanted individuals.

Over the course of six weeks, more than 100 participants, ages 16 to 20 from overburdened communities in New Jersey, are working alongside Department of Environmental Protection staff to discover the many pathways into environmental careers while developing skills for the future. Learn more about the Youth Inclusion Initiative: https://dep.nj.gov/yii/