This year marked a century since the Lawrence Township Police Department was established, a — milestone celebrated with year-long festivities that honor its rich history and commitment to public service.
From the humble beginnings of a single constable in 1924 to a modern force of 60 officers, the department has evolved alongside the township it serves. As the department commemorates its 100th anniversary, it is also preparing for another significant transition — Chief Christopher Longo, who has led the force for more than two years, will retire at the end of this year.
In its 100 years, the LTPD has enforced laws, prevented crimes and solved cases under the leadership of nine chiefs of police.
“In the 100 years of the police department, everything that’s changed — between the technology, the need for service, community expectations, manpower — it’s tremendous,” Longo said. “The officers who are serving the department now are a big part of the reason why Lawrence Township is a great town.”
The year-long celebrations have reflected the department’s deep roots in the community. The festivities included special events and memorabilia designed to honor the legacy of the LTPD.
One standout feature was the unveiling of a retro police car. There was also special merchandise for members of the LTPD, such as memorial baseball cards, die-cast cars with 100 years marked on them and commemorative police badges. The department also hosted a gala at The Lawrenceville School, to which all living LTPD chiefs were invited.
“We were able to honor them in their path leadership that got us to where we are today,” Longo said.
The LTPD was founded on Sept. 23, 1924, by Constable Joseph Hopkins, who became Lawrence Township’s first chief of police on that day. Hopkins and his Harley Davidson patrol motorcycle, along with six part-time special officers ran the department in its infancy.
Hopkins worked 10-hour shifts and made $2,000 a year. He was also on call around the clock, with a phone installed in his home to field work-related calls. Hopkins led the department for 11 years, laying the groundwork for its future growth.
Hopkins was the chief for 11 years, and in his time the department grew to the point where it got the ball rolling for it to expand even more over the years.
By the late 1990s, the LTPD had expanded to 74 officers, with specialized units including detectives, canine officers, and community response teams. Today, the department has 60 officers, reflecting a slight decrease in staffing over recent decades.
Despite dealing with decreasing numbers over the past 25 years, the department also has the and the backing from some township employees.
Longo said that Municipal Manager Kevin Nerwinski and the Lawrence Township Council “have been very vocal about supporting the police department and building the numbers back up to where they should be.”
Right now, 85% of the LTPD has less than 10 years of experience in law enforcement. Despite having a smaller team, the department remains strong. The Chief noted that the current officers, many of whom are relatively new to the job, have stepped up to the challenge.
“We’re a very young department right now,” Longo said. “The officers coming in lacking longevity and lacking some practical experience, have just done a remarkable job in serving the town, learning the job and really dedicating themselves to doing the job of a police officer.”
For Longo, it is the people and the causes that make the job worthwhile. “Just in general, the friendships, the relationships and being able to serve my hometown, that’s my, that’s my favorite thing about this job,” he said.
Longo’s own story is intertwined with the history of the department and the township itself. He was raised in Lawrence Township, attended local public schools and graduated from Lawrence High School.
Longo comes from a family with a long history of service to Lawrence Township. His father immigrated to the United States from Italy and spent his whole career of 38 years working for Lawrence Township. He retired from the township as the assistant director of public works.
The chief’s mother started off as a teaching assistant in the Lawrence Township School District for close to 40 years, and then worked at Lawrenceville Elementary School in the kindergarten classroom.
Before joining the police department, Longo worked as a dispatcher at Mercer County Emergency Services Communication Center. In that role he dispatched fire, ambulances and paramedic units on emergency calls and calls for service.
After leaving MCESCC, Longo worked for the Federal Bureau of Investigation as an investigative specialist at its Newark field office. At the FBI, he worked on an international terrorism squad.
He then returned to work in Lawrence Township as a dispatcher, but this time for the police department. Longo spent about a year being a dispatcher before being hired as a police officer in 2000.
From there he rose through the ranks quickly. He became a detective for four years, a sergeant for 10 years and a lieutenant for four years. He has served as chief of police for over two years, but his time at the police department will soon come to an end.
Nerwinski lauded Longo for his career in law enforcement. “I thank Chris for his excellent leadership of the LT PD. He leaves the department well situated to continue with the good work and build upon all of his accomplishments over the past several years as police Chief,” Nerwinski said.
“Chris and I have a great working relationship,” he added. “He is a valued member of our team, and he will be missed.”
Longo has won numerous department awards throughout his time with the force, including 2016’s Supervisor of the Year, five commendable service awards, one meritorious service award, and one life saving award.
He has also pursued numerous professional development opportunities, including graduating from the FBI-Mid Atlantic Law Enforcement Executive Development Program and the N.J. Association of Chiefs of Police’s Police Executive Institute. He received his N.J. Civil Service Commission Certified Public Managers Certification from Rutgers University in 2024.
The announcement of Longo’s successor is expected sometime during December, signaling the next phase of leadership for the LTPD. As Longo prepares to pass the torch to the next chief of police, he is optimistic about the department’s future.
“The police department is on a really, really good path to be successful in the future, and I’m proud of what I’ve done,” Longo said. “I’m excited to see what the next chief’s new ideas are and how they kind of carry them.”
Longo will soon leave his position to work in the human resources department of a local utility company. The job offer at the company was too good to turn down, he said.
“I’m full of mixed emotions about retiring, being a police officer is really all that I ever wanted to do,” Longo said. “It’s quite bittersweet, but it’s the right decision.”
Longo expressed confidence in the department’s trajectory and praised the officers he has worked with.
“Even though I’m retiring, I’m so proud of the work that [the officers] do,” Longo said. “They’re the reason why I’ve been so successful, and they’re the reason why the Police Department will continue to be successful.”
Longo’s ties to Lawrence Township run deep, not only through his work with the LTPD but also through his involvement in the Lawrence Road Fire Company, where he is a lifetime member.
He used to be a volunteer firefighter with the company but grew to be less involved when he became a police officer. The fire company was a big part of Longo’s upbringing, a nd he still maintains a lot of ties at the LRFC.
“I attribute a lot of my success now to my roots in the firehouse,” Longo said. “I learned a lot of good lessons there — about leadership, about emergency services and about the way that the town runs.”
As Longo steps into retirement, his legacy in Lawrence Township is firmly established. His story, like that of the department itself, is one of commitment, community and service. Although the department will soon welcome a new chief, Longo’s impact will be felt for years to come.
As his final days with the department approach, Longo reflects on his career and the legacy he has made for himself. Some 22 years later, Longo has been living out his version of “the dream.”
“It’s like every kid’s dream, right? To be the chief of police in the town where they know a lot of the people and grew up,” Longo said. “It’s been a great honor, and it still is an honor to serve the town. I love this town.”
Lawrence Township Police Chief Christopher Longo will retire at the end of this month.,
