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Detective Bureau

The Detective Bureau is responsible for the investigation of Homicides, Robberies, Kidnapping, Sexual Assaults, Child Abuse and Cases involving Juveniles, as well as property crimes such as Controlled Dangerous Substances, Burglary, Arson, Theft, and Fraud. Detectives assigned to this Section are highly skilled Investigators who have earned their positions by demonstrating the knowledge, skills and abilities crucial to being a successful Investigator.

The Detective Bureau is comprised of a Lieutenant, Three Sergeants and Eleven Detectives.

The Lakewood Police Department Street Crimes Unit (SCU) consists of a Detective Sergeant and a team of plainclothes detectives. These Detectives are highly trained and skilled in the area of Anti-Narcotics and Human Trafficking Enforcement. Their primary responsibility is to conduct enforcement by way of surveillance and information obtained through various sources to arrest individuals involved in the possession and/or distribution of illegal narcotics. Often times, after coordination with other investigatory units and officers on patrol, these arrests lead to the dismantling of narcotics organizations operating within the Township of Lakewood or surrounding areas . As a result, SCU Detectives regularly work with the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Operations Group, as well as their State and Federal Counterparts on large-scale investigations.

Investigations Contact Information

Hours of Operation:
7am – 5pm | M-F
732-363-0200 x5948

Captain Gregory Staffordsmith
Investigations Commander
732-363-0200 x5318
gstaffordsmith@lakewoodpolicenj.com

Lt. Chase Messer
Detective Bureau Commander
732-363-0200 x5322
cmesser@lakewoodpolicenj.com

D/Sgt. Patrick Kearns
732-363-0200 x5338
pkearns@lakewoodpolicenj.com

D/Sgt. Tyler Distefano
732-363-0200 x5319
tdistefano@lakewoodpolicenj.com

D/Sgt. Charles Messer
732-363-0200 x5317
chmesser@lakewoodpolicenj.com