Crime & Safety
Meet the Police Chief: Christopher Goul
It's been a 1 1/2 years since Goul took the helm of Bloomfield's Police Department. In a chat with Patch, he reflects on his time in the department and on the township he serves.
Chief Christopher Goul is a townie.
He was born and raised on Berkeley Ave., attended Fairview school, South Jr. High and Bloomfield Senior High. He attended Bergen Community College and Bloomfield College and currently lives iwth his wife in Sparta.
Goul has served as Chief of Police since January 2011.
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What do you love about your job?
The most rewarding aspect to police work for myself is helping someone. It can be resolving a parking issue or solving a burglary. Also rewarding is watching a young officer expand their career, when he/she makes rank or enters a specialized service.
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What do you dislike about your job?
What I dislike is the victimization of the elderly, children and the less fortunate.
What is a typical work day like?
There is no typical day in police work. What I have found is that every day has been different. I meet daily with all the divisions and the town administrator, as we plan for the day and months to come. Recently, we are under construction for our new communications center, which will service the township for many years to come. It is a huge task and we have many dedicated officers assigned to its completion.
What do you like about Bloomfield?
What I love about Bloomfield is our heart, because when the chips are down Bloomfielders always rise to the occasion. I have seen our officers do the same in floods, snow storms, heat waves, etc.
What made you want to become a police officer?
The job of becoming a police officer really found me. I had a friend growing up, who wanted to take the police test. The applications for the test were at the police station and he didn’t want to go alone. I had no intentions of taking the test; I was actually taking firefighter exams at the time. But, I went with him and got the application. I took the exam and did well, I guess the rest is history.
Describe a memorable experience.
Probably when I was sworn in as Chief of Police. It was a long road, but one that we believed in. In the audience were all my family, friends, fellow officers, our two past chiefs and I had the grace Of Bishop Bootkowski holding the bible alongside my wife Paula. I just wish the late Sgt. Gerry Mastroeni could have been there, but I know he was watching from above.
What do you wish all residents knew about the BPD?
Everyone from Bloomfield should know that we have a group of dedicated men and women on our force, who are out there every minute of the day and night. Our officers give their blood, sweat and tears. They are the finest.
