Police Chief John B. Harris,  Jr.

On January 2, 2025, during the first Township Meeting of 2025, John Harris was sworn in by newly elected Mayor Jeffry Daloisio as the Chief of Police of Edgewater Park Township.

Born in Northern New Jersey, Chief Harris made his way south as a young man and graduated from Life Center Academy before attending HBCU, Lincoln University and graduating in 2001, majoring in Computer Science.

Chief Harris’ career in law enforcement began with the New Jersey Department of Corrections. There he recognized his desire to serve residents and community, and with that in mind, he pursued an opportunity to become a member of a police force and had the privilege of joining the Edgewater Park Township Police Department in 2003 as a Patrol Officer after graduating from the Burlington County Police Academy with Class #85.

After four years as a very proactive Patrol Officer, he was promoted to the rank of Detective and was responsible for all major case investigations and their preparation for prosecution. By April 2009, Chief Harris was promoted to the rank of Detective Sergeant, and held that position until February 2022, when he assumed all the responsibilities that come with the promotion to Operations Lieutenant. In addition to overseeing all patrol operations and the detective bureau, Chief Harris was also responsible for all departmental training and scheduling as the Operations Commander.

Chief Harris is a proud graduate of NJ State Association Chief’s of Police (formerly West Point’s) Command and Leadership Academy, and he serves the Edgewater Park School District as a L.E.A.D. (Law Enforcement Against Drugs) Instructor, mentoring hundreds of young people annually with the assistance of his fellow L.E.A.D. Officers.

As the immediate Past-President of NJ Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge #2, Chief Harris led a group of officers (active and retired) to focus on service, community-policing and initiatives to improve the safety for all residents of Edgewater Park and other Burlington County communities. Chief Harris remains an active participant in People Standing United, an organization he co-founded at Lincoln University in 1996 which aids in the development and well-being of young men. Turning grief into purpose and giving back, Chief Harris and his family established the non-profit, Tyron’s Good Feetz Project, in honor and memory of their son, Tyron, to support our future leaders in the community through the perfect pair of footwear, Tyron’s passion.

As Chief, John Harris will remain committed to the service of the community and to the safety and well-being of the residents and visitors of the “Small Town with a Big Heart,” Edgewater Park Township.