Special Operations Section
Major Alexander Perry - Commanding Officer
The following Bureaus make up Special Operations Section:
- Marine Services Bureau
- Transportation Safety Bureau
- Technical Response Bureau
- Aviation Bureau
- The Office of Target Hardening
Marine Services Bureau
The New Jersey State Police Marine Services Bureau (MSB) is the primary provider of full-time law enforcement services for approximately 160,000 registered vessels on all of New Jersey waterways and contiguous land areas. The mission of the MSB is to protect and serve our citizens, every aspect of the marine environment, preserve natural resources, enforce the laws of this State, and provide a preventive measure of Homeland Security that is second to none.
Read more about the Marine Services Bureau
Transportation Safety Bureau
The Transportation Safety Bureau acts as the executive liaison to the Department of Transportation, Division of Motor Vehicles, Division of Highway Traffic Safety and the Federal Highway Administration. The Bureau provides technical assistance, including but not limited to accident investigation of commercial motor vehicles, to state and municipal police departments, prosecutor's offices, general public and other government agencies.
The Bureau consists of 6 units:
- Commercial Carrier Safety Inspection Unit
- Construction Unit
- Hazardous Material Transportation Enforcement Unit
- Motor Coach Compliance/Safety Audit Review Unit
- Mobile Safe Freight Training Unit
- Incident Management Unit
- Additional Links
Commercial Carrier Safety Inspection Unit
Commercial Carrier/Safety Inspection Unit personnel are responsible for implementation and enforcement of the federal regulations governing commercial vehicle drivers, related safety equipment, and the transportation of hazardous materials over state highways. They are also responsible for the enforcement of the commercial vehicle size and weight laws. Having adopted the Federal Motor Carrier Hazardous Materials Regulations and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, the Division has assigned numerous teams of troopers, with specialized training, to conduct roadside inspections of commercial vehicles to enforce federal safety regulations.
Additional responsibilities include unannounced school bus safety inspections and commercial vehicle safety presentations to both the public and private sectors.
Construction Unit
The Construction Unit enforces the rules and regulations governing traffic control and safety in highway work areas. The Unit members inspect NJDOT construction sites to ensure contractors are in compliance with the traffic control plans established for their project.
The troopers assigned to the Unit receive specialized training in work-zone safety and traffic control for highway construction areas. This training is combined with their experience in motor vehicle law enforcement to create a comprehensive safety program.
The Unit members also provide work zone safety training for local police agencies and for other governmental and private organizations.
Hazardous Material Transportation Enforcement Unit
Hazardous Materials Transportation Enforcement Unit (HMTEU) personnel are responsible for roadside hazardous materials inspections, as well as commercial vehicle inspections. HMTEU has the primary responsibility for enforcement of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations along with the Hazardous Material Regulations also defined in Title 49. HMTEU is also responsible for an overtime joint Federal/State IRS Dyed Diesel Fuel Program.
Motor Coach Compliance/Safety Audit Review Unit
Motor Coach/Compliance Review Unit personnel are responsible for roadside inspections of motor coaches, buses, as well as, commercial vehicles. The unit enforces Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations and Title 39 of the State motor vehicle code.
The MCCRU maintains the New Entrant Safety Audit program. This program is a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration initiative, which involves troopers meeting with representatives from motor carriers, who have applied for a federal DOT number. The purpose is educational, in which the carrier is informed of the minimum requirements needed to operate within the guidelines of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
The MCCRU conducts compliance reviews of motor carriers, which have failed to maintain an acceptable safety rating or have been involved in a serious/fatal commercial motor vehicle crash. This review involves an extensive check of a motor carrier's records, equipment and drivers. This is an enforcement program, which the FMCSA utilizes to impose fines and/or out of service orders.
Additional responsibilities include instructing motor coach inspection courses. The courses are given around the country and are mandated by the unit's funding source. The unit is also responsible to respond to and assist with post crash inspections.
Mobile Safe Freight Training Unit
Conduct roadside inspections of commercial motor vehicles for not only mobile, statutory enforcement but also to detect those using the transportation industry for nefarious means. Provide actionable intelligence on commercial vehicle criminal trafficking patterns, identification of aggressive driver and high-crash corridors, as well as fill the gaps in the homeland security infrastructure safety net. Enhance the capabilities of the federal Domestic Highway Enforcement initiative through directed stops of land-based vehicles for information gathering, occupant identification, electronic tracker placement or recovery, consent searches, and/or contraband seizing. Assist investigative partners with search warrant execution on vehicles suspected of containing aftermarket, hidden compartments constructed for the furtherance of criminal activity. Support of the Homeland Security Branch’s mission of infrastructure security, special operational deployments, utilization of behavioral methodologies, as well as Secure the Cities radiological detection.
Schedule and deliver training in all National Training Center courses related to commercial vehicle transportation and New Jersey Motor Vehicle Code to any enlisted as well as NY/NJ Port Authority, Delaware River Bridge Commission, or New Jersey Department of Transportation member wishing to become a certified inspector. Schedule and deliver refresher training in National Training Center and State Police-related certifications as well as develop/maintain a database of training received for all personnel. Provide training to municipal police departments and State Police Academy recruits on commercial driver’s license standards, International Registration Plan, and Interstate Fuel Tax Agreement. Conduct safety seminars to the private sector and motor carrier industry. Provide regulatory rewrites, updates, guidance, assistance, and comment to the Federal and State Government, agencies authorized to conduct inspections, private sector, and motor carrier associations. Intake, investigate, moderate, and adjudicate Data Quality Challenges; which is, the federal appeals process commercial carriers use to dispute violations received during a safety inspection.
Incident Management Unit
The Incident Management Unit is part of the Statewide Transportation and Incident Management Coordination Program consisting of the Division of State Police, New Jersey Department of Transportation, the Department of Environmental Protection and the Federal Highway Administration. This group plays an active role in the overall process of traffic incident management by detecting and verifying the majority of incidents, with patrol vehicles and emergency 911 communications system. The State Police are responsible for the overall management of the response and are responsible for coordinating the recovery operations of the towing industry and clean up contractors at major incidents. The State Police is responsible to maintain the Incident Management Diversion Plans for the State and implement them during major incidents.
Additional Links
- Federal Highway Administration https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/
- New Jersey Department of Transportation https://www.state.nj.us/transportation/
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Hazardous Materials - https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/hazardous-materials/how-comply-federal-hazardous-materials-regulations
- Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration www.phmsa.dot.gov
- Commercial Vehicle Safety Administration https://cvsa.org
- NJAC 16:49 https://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/njcode/
(once on website)- Agree to enter Website
- Check on Title 16 and click the plus (+) sign
- Go to CHAPTER 49 and click the plus (+) sign
- Click the plus (+) sign for the SUBCHAPTER (1-4)
- Open Documents within the SUBCHAPTER to view
- NJAC 13:60 https://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/njcode/
- Agree to enter Website
- Check on Title 13 and click the plus (+) sign
- Go to CHAPTER 60 and click the plus (+) sign
- Click the plus (+) sign for the SUBCHAPTER (1-2)
- Open Documents within the SUBCHAPTER to view
Technical Response Bureau
Today, in advancing its overall Homeland Security mission, the NJSP has begun to implement a transformation process to better allocate its finite resources around addressing terrorism, natural, and manmade disasters. In keeping with the strategies and best practices outlined in the National Strategy for Homeland Security and The 9/11 Commission Report, the Homeland Security Branch has evolved into a mission oriented entity capable of confronting the challenges associated with emergency preparedness in a Homeland Security era. The creation of the Technical Response Bureau placed those technical entities under the command structure of a single authority, enhancing our ultimate responsibility in maintaining the safety of our state, and strengthening our Homeland Security mission.
The Technical Response Bureau (TRB) is an intricate component of the Homeland Security Branch, and is the primary technical response element for statewide emergencies. The TRB is comprised of four distinctive Units:
The TRB institutes a capabilities-based strategy among the four units that reside within the Bureau. The capabilities-based strategy provides a framework for properly planned, organized, equipped and trained personnel. Each unit maintains proficient capabilities within its respective discipline. However, cross- training among the units allows for a Bureau wide response to any critical event. This vital component of the TRB makes it the premier technical response entity in the state.
Bomb Unit
The New Jersey State Police Bomb Unit is a full time FBI Nationally Certified Bomb Unit that is located within the Homeland Security Branch, Special Operations Section, Technical Response Bureau. The main mission of the unit is Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Operations (IEDs, PBIEDS, VBIEDs and other Hazardous Devices), response to suspicious / Hazardous Devices, Post Blast Investigations, Clandestine Home Made Explosive Labs and the disposal of deteriorated explosives, commercial and consumer fireworks. The Unit is also involved in joint operations with other federal agencies in regards to VIP / Dignitary Security Sweeps and joint explosive operations and training. The members of the Bomb Unit provide essential render safe capabilities and tactical support as it applies to Category “A” (life threatening) types of incidents regarding proxy bombers / hostage devices, barricaded subjects / hostage incidents, Tactical Explosive Breaching and active shooter incidents to name a few. Members of the Unit are highly trained individuals in the field of explosives and IED defeat operations. The technologically advanced equipment that all unit members must be proficient in, allows unit members to perform reconnaissance, identification, detection and render safe procedures regarding suspect explosive devices.
The Bomb Unit is also the lead agency for the New Jersey Render Safe Task Force which is comprised of ten (10) Bomb Units from throughout the state. This nationally recognized Task Force is recognized by the NJ Attorney General's Office through an active Memorandum of Understanding. Direct funding for this Task Force is through federally supplied Grant Programs that are fully managed by the NJSP Bomb Unit. All of the members assigned to the Bomb Unit play an integral role in the Unit's Mission and in the accomplishments of the Bomb Unit's Goals.
Canine Unit
The New Jersey State Police Canine Unit was established in 1987 within the Investigations Section and re-assigned to the Special Operations Section within the Homeland Security Branch on February 28, 2004. The unit currently consists of twenty-four Troopers assigned cross-trained canine partners who work as a team. The canine teams are scent trained to detect the odor of explosives, controlled dangerous substances and cadaver. They are cross trained for patrol functions which include conducting tracks, evidence or article searches, urban search and rescue and criminal apprehension. They are available to respond to any requests twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
The primary function of the Canine Unit is to assist Federal, State, County and Local law enforcement agencies whenever the services of a police canine is required. The unit assists Division personnel in any investigation or motor vehicle stop that necessitates the utilization of a canine. The canine teams are used to assist in establishing probable cause based on the canines positive indication. They also assist Field Operations by utilizing police canines to locate fleeing suspects, missing people, illicit narcotics, explosive materials, and cadaver remains.
The Unit maintains security enhancement for the Statehouse Complex through high visibility patrols, explosives sweeps, and covert operations. The Unit currently has detachments on the New Jersey Turnpike and the Atlantic City Airport.
The Canine Unit maintains a full-time training academy. The Canine Training Academy conducts bi-annual classes in scent and patrol. The trainers provide a sixteen week patrol class and a twelve week scent class. The trainers ensure compliance with the Attorney General’s K9 Training Standards and utilizing the certification methods set forth by the United States Police Canine Association. They also conduct monthly in-service training. The Canine Training Academy is located at 10 Georgetown Rd Wrightstown Boro at the former Fort Dix Station.
Since the inception of the New Jersey State Police Canine Training Academy, in excess of 260 canine teams from various agencies have successfully completed the training and were certified in scent detection and patrol. The canine academy also in-services an additional 70 teams during the month in scent and patrol.
The Canine Unit was selected by the Attorney General’s Office to oversee the New Jersey Detect and Render Safe Canine Program to include certification training, maintenance and in-service training, and statewide deployments of the Detect and Render Safe police canines for homeland security and to provide infrastructure security checks.
All Canine Unit members conduct police canine education lectures and demonstrations for the Division, school and D.A.R.E. presentations, Federal, State, and Local law enforcement agencies and the citizenry of the state of New Jersey.
The New Jersey State Police Canine Unit teams and other canine unit teams throughout the country are a tremendous asset to the law enforcement community.
T.E.A.M.S. Unit
The T.E.A.M.S. Unit was established in 1978 as a full time emergency response unit prepared to handle extra ordinary police emergencies. During the early years of the Unit’s existence, members were chosen from the Division’s Underwater Recovery Unit’s personnel as they had distinguished themselves as highly disciplined, self motivated troopers. Today, the selection process is the most demanding among any in the Division. Members are selected based on written resume, physical agility test, background investigation, oral interview, and the successful completion of the physically and mentally demanding underwater recovery course. The TEAMS Unit is comprised of three ten member squads, regionally located in the north, central, and south.
The TEAMS Unit is a multi faceted entity who has met the challenges of emergency preparedness in a post 9/11 era. TEAMS maintains an “all threats”-“all-hazards”- “all crimes,” methodology toward prevention, protection, response and recovery. The Unit is adaptive, and is utilized by federal, state, and local agencies for an array missions. The Unit is fully operational, and can respond to any incident due to their full-time, 24 hour call-out status. TEAMS maintains an extreme training regimen which is focused on the many disciplines it possesses.
Special Weapons And Tactics: Commonly known as SWAT. Is a primary mission for the TEAMS Unit. The Unit is utilized to execute tactical intervention strategies for hostage and barricade gunmen situations. TEAMS is also called upon by federal and local agencies to conduct high risk warrant service entries for some of the state’s most dangerous criminal elements. The Unit is equipped with technologically advanced systems that are being utilized by SWAT and military units throughout the world.
Rescue Operations: The TEAMS Unit is called upon to perform high-angle and confined space rescue operations during the response and recovery phase of any critical incident. The Unit is a support element for the New Jersey Urban Search & Rescue Team (NJTF-1). In addition, the Unit has helicopter rappel capabilities to either employ a rescue operation or perform a linear tactical assault.
Underwater Search and Recovery: The TEAMS Unit is utilized to conduct underwater search and recovery operations for criminal evidence and unfortunate drowning victims. TEAMS can perform SCUBA operations anywhere in the state, under some of the most severe maritime conditions. TEAMS also performs tactical maritime operations with our Marine Bureau assets.
Counter-Terrorism Operations: TEAMS is called upon to conduct preventative and protective operations for the state’s identified critical infrastructure. TEAMS is the tactical element for the Target Hardening Response and Emergency Activation Team (THREAT). Due to the TEAMS Unit’s tactical capabilities, they can be utilized from the air, sea, and land for any target hardening mission.
Aviation Bureau
Since 1969, the New Jersey State Police Aviation Bureau has provided aerial support to the Division of State Police as well as other agencies requiring airborne assistance in accomplishing their goals. Over the years, the Bureau’s mission evolved and has grown into a 24/7 operation which serves as a Law Enforcement, Homeland Security and Search & Rescue entity as well as a MedEvac response provider. To meet the demands of its tasking, the Bureau has a fleet of eight (8) helicopters; five (5) state of the art Agusta AW139s, two (2) Bell 206 Long Rangers and one (1) OH-58 military surplus helicopter.
The Aviation Bureau ensures all members receive the necessary training needed to fulfill the demands of airborne law enforcement operations. State Police pilots are proficient and meet or exceed FAA mandated requirements with regard to training, night operations, instrument currency, and flight reviews. Additionally, the Aviation Bureau’s certified maintenance technicians are responsible for complying with all applicable Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs), airworthiness directives (ADs), manufacturer's service bulletins, and Aviation Maintenance Manual procedures, to ensure the Bureau’s fleet remains airworthy at all times.
The Office of Target Hardening
The Office of Target Hardening (OTH) was created on July 9, 2016 (PO 16-468) in response to the ever changing environment of Terrorist Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs).
The OTH is focused on making the First Responder become the First Preventer with the intent of deterring and protecting through applied identification patterns of behavior, current terrorist activity, and examining terrorist tactics and weapon usage.
- The OTH is responsible for developing and sustaining capabilities to operationally counter rising hostile threats within the State.
- The OTH concentrates on the principles of counterterrorism through effective communication and intelligence collection.
- The Office coordinates the deployment of the Hostile Surveillance Detection and Interception Team (HOSDIT). This is a specialized team of operators trained to deter, detect, prevent, and mitigate terrorist activities statewide.
- HOSDIT ~ through observation techniques and behavioral pattern recognition conduct the following missions:
- Multi-Disciplinary Covert Team (Surveillance to Interception)
- Interception Tactics (Interview to PBIED)
- Conduct operations in Open Air Venues with Small Unit Operations
- Trained in Advanced Concealed Weapons Management.
- The OTH collaborates with other NJSP disciplines to commence pre-deployment strategic measures to suspected terror threats and/or risks
- The Office has effectively leveraged intelligence gathering unit’s analytic data to initiate protection strategies for operational deployments to suspected statewide soft targets
- The Office of Target Hardening has become a critical safety and security enhancement piece to large planned events.
