All over the United States there are law enforcement agencies set up to protect the American citizens. The law enforcement department is the police department that is located throughout each state and town. Each state comprises of the state police agencies and local police departments. The police departments are supported by union representation that help to protect their rights as workers.
In the state of New Jersey there is a town called Woodbridge that has a local police department. The website for the Woodbridge Police Department is woodbridgepd.com and the local police union website is PBA38.net.
The Woodbridge Police Department was established in 1911 where it was formally organized. At that time there was a total of 7 police officers but today it is different in the amount
of police officers it has. Today it has over 200 officers, 20 reserves and auxilary officers. The website for the agency contains a list of divisions, contact information, links and what is new. Among the agency’s administrative staff members is the chief, deputy chief, lieutenant and the administrative assistant. The agency is divided into section such administration, Animal Control, communications, investigative services unit, information technologies, records, training, SRC/DARE and patrol division.
The Woodbridge Police Agency is represented by the Woodbridge PBA local 38 however in 1996 the bargaining unit was split because there was a PERC decision that was encouraged by the township administration. The regular members which include detectives and patrolmen provide three quarters of the membership. Sergeant and above, is one quarter of the membership that are fraternal members that belong to the SOA. The PBA Local 38 staff (2015) says “In
March of 1999 the Woodbridge Police Department was granted C.A.L.E.A. certification.”Since the police agency is now certified there are thousands of new regulations and policies. The executive board still works with the administration of the department to be feasible. Local 38 belongs to the New Jersey State Police Benevolence Association. The local provides negotiations for its members in terms of contract negotiations. In extreme need it will sponsor and make a donation to a number of charities that require assistance. Also it supports funds for scholarships. In the community it sponsors a variety of young teams in the sporting world. The Youth Hockey League began in September of 1997. The street hockey league is for ages between 6 to 17. There were several events that local 38 participated in to provide financial support for a cause. On April 23, they played against the United Spinal Rangers. Money was neeeded for a sled hocky that cost $700.00. Another event that they sponsored was the Independent Wrestling Federation
(IWF), where it was a fundraiser. The Woodbridge local PBA has officers in charge to lead the local union. The positions are president, vice-president, treasurer, recording secretary, financial secretary, state delegate, Sergeant at Arms and 3 trustees . PBA local 38 continues to give back to the Woodbridge community thorugh innovative ideas to assist charitable causes. The local is beneficial in two ways because it protects the township police agency and cares for the community as a whole.
In conclusion the Woodbridge Police Agency was set up to protect the citizens of Woodbridge Township. The agency keeps the peace within the town community. The PBA 38 Local Union was created to protect the police agency employees. The union protects the members bargains for their benefits and so fair deal is provided period the local also give back to the community through sponsorships of youth sporting teams and drivers scholarships for colleges.
- P.B.A. Local 38 staff. (2015). P.B.A. Local #38. Woodbridge, N J. pba38.net
