Mahwah council hears police department report on staffing, accreditation and grant-backed programs

Police Chief Timothy O'Hara summarized the Mahwah Police Department's 2025 operations and staffing needs at a Feb. 7 budget work session, saying the department handled roughly 43,000 calls in 2025 while maintaining a 0% increase in its operating budget. He told the council that retirements, military duty and prolonged illnesses have left the force below full strength and increased overtime costs.

Chief O'Hara said the department plans to recruit three officers in spring 2026 with the objective of returning the force to full operational capacity and reducing overtime expenditures. He also reported that the department underwent a site-based reaccreditation assessment by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) in December 2025 and that the CALEA board review was scheduled for March.

On potential program spending, O'Hara described initiatives that could be financed through grants, including a "Drones as First Responder" program and a Health and Wellness program that would provide access to a certified police psychiatrist and additional body armor. He characterized both as contingent on securing outside funding.

Council members and municipal staff discussed the department's capital requests and operating budget line items; Chief Financial Officer Corinne Hockman participated in budget clarifications. The council took a short recess at 9:10 a.m. and reconvened at 9:20 a.m. The session recorded no formal vote related to police staffing or program approval; the chief thanked the council for their support.