Rockland Responds: Ramapo Police Lieutenant Blaine Howell Clarifies the Duties of the Different Local Police Departments

Dear Officer,

I moved to Rockland recently, and I like to be prepared. Can you tell me the actual job description for each police department? There is my local police station, then there is the Ramapo Police Department, and then there is the Sheriff's Department. They are all local, and all seem to cover our town. Who do I call for what?

Thank you,

Ramapo Resident

Dear Resident,

It is a difficult question to answer without knowing where you live. However, the Sherriff's office has jurisdiction throughout Rockland County but mainly patrols county-owned properties. They have other functions as well, but that would not be a concern here.

The Ramapo Police Department has jurisdiction throughout the Town of Ramapo, but here is where it gets tricky. If someone lives within the Village of Spring Valley or the Village of Suffern, then their "local" police department would be Spring Valley or Suffern. It should be noted that the mailing address does not play a role here. Someone might and oftentimes does have a Suffern or Spring Valley mailing address and not reside within the respective village, and therefore, the Ramapo Police would be the "local" police department.

Lieutenant Blaine Howell

Special Operations Unit

Town of Ramapo Police Department