MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll and Chief of Detectives Robert M. McNally announce that on June 12, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office (MCPO) was re-accredited by the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP), following unanimous approval by the NJSACOP Accreditation Board. Initial accreditation was attained by the MCPO in 2013, and this is the fourth time the office has been re-accredited since.

The NJSACOP program consisted of 112 professional standards for this accreditation cycle, many of which have multiple sub-sections. These standards address (5) primary functions, including Administration, Personnel, Operations, Investigative, and Arrestee control. The process involved an in-depth analysis of MCPO operations over the 3 years from 2022 through 2024 to ensure that policies and performance are consistent with the accreditation standards, thus demonstrating best practices for law enforcement in the State of New Jersey. After the cycle, a team of independent assessors from the NJSACOP conducted off-site audits and on-site inspections of our operations, confirming that the MCPO complied with the accreditation standards. These assessors subsequently submitted a detailed report to the twelve-member NJSACOP Accreditation Board recommending that the MCPO should be re-accredited. The process culminated with a review of this report by Board members, followed by an official hearing where information on various topics was exchanged between the members and Prosecutor Carroll, before the Board ultimately voted unanimously to award re-accreditation to the MCPO.

Prosecutor Carroll stated, “Just as society progresses over time, so too must law enforcement continue to provide professional services that effectively address contemporary challenges and achieve public expectations. We have found that our continued participation in the Accreditation Program significantly contributes to satisfying those objectives.” He further stated, “While maintaining our accreditation status reflects positively on the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office as a whole, it could not have been achieved without the continued professional commitment demonstrated by our personnel daily, for which I commend each for their contributions towards this notable achievement.”

Residents Urged to Take Precautions During Extreme Heat Warning

The National Weather Service has issued an extreme heat warning through Wednesday June 24 until 8 p.m. with temperatures of up 100 degrees.

Stay safe from the heat by drinking plenty of water and staying indoors. If you see someone suffering from a heat emergency, call 911. 

Signs and symptoms of heat-related illness include: high body temperature (103 degrees Fahrenheit or higher); hot, red, dry, or damp skin; a fast, strong pulse; a headache, dizziness, nausea and/or confusion, and losing consciousness.

The Morris County Office on Aging, Disabilities, and Community Programming reminds senior citizens and vulnerable Morris County residents that the level of heat and humidity expected may cause heat stress during outdoor exertion or extended exposure.

Residents are encouraged to check on elderly family members and neighbors during this time. Please do not leave children, adults or pets in vehicles.

If you are having difficulty dealing with the heat, please check with your municipal Office of Emergency Management or police department in each of the county’s 39 towns to find a cooling shelter in your community.  You also can call NJ 211.

The Morris County Office of Emergency Management will closely monitor the excessive heat advisory and coordinate with municipalities to offer any needed assistance over the next few days.

If you have not already done so, please take the time to register with Smart 911, a free emergency call service available to Morris County residents that provides first responders key information about you and your family members during an emergency.

DENVILLE — A South River man was arrested on Saturday, June 21, following a reported motor vehicle burglary on Hillcrest Drive, according to the Denville Police Department.

At approximately 8:12 a.m., officers responded to the area after receiving a report of a burglary in progress. While en route, officers located a vehicle and driver matching the description provided by the caller. The driver, identified as 39-year-old Roman Chkheidze, was stopped by responding officers.

Further investigation revealed that Chkheidze had active warrants issued by an outside agency. He was taken into custody without incident and transported to Denville Police Headquarters for processing. He has since been charged in connection with the burglary and was transferred to the Morris County Correctional Facility, where he remains held pending a court appearance.

Editor’s Note: The court’s rules require us to include a statement that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and/or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.