Specialty Units

D.A.R.E. stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education. It is a drug abuse prevention education program designed to equip elementary, middle and high school children with knowledge about drug abuse, the consequences of abuse, and skills for resisting peer pressure to experiment with drugs, alcohol and tobacco.D.A.R.E officers work with children to raise their self-esteem, teach them how to make decisions on their own, and help them identify positive alternatives to drugs. Through role-playing, the D.A.R.E., curriculum emphasizes the negative consequences of drug use, and reinforces the skills to resist peer pressure and intimidation.

D.A.R.E. lesson plans focus on four major areas:
* Providing accurate information about drugs, alcohol and tobacco.
* Teaching students good decision-making skills.
* Showing students how to recognize and resist peer pressure.
* Giving students ideas for positive alternatives to drug use.

D.A.R.E. is a cooperative effort by the police, schools, parents, and the community – all four working together to help our children make the right choices concerning drug use.

Officer Janice Oppmann, known to the children as “Officer Jan” was trained in December 1995 at the DARE Academy in Saratoga, NY. She taught the DARE core program in the Chester Elementary School to the fifth grade from her graduation in 1995 through 2012. Officer Jan also taught the younger students in the school by doing safety talks with the Kindergarten students and Lessons with the first through fourth grade students. In 2004 Officer Jan started a new Interactive Internet Safety Program, Kidz Smartz, with the students. The program was enjoyed by all.

Please see the following Adobe PDF file for information on crime prevention. It is formatted to easy be printed out as a reference.

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The Town of Chester Detective Division is currently staffed by two detectives. Detective Robert Ferrara was promoted to detective in 2006 as serves as a patrol detective. Detective Janice Oppmann was promoted to detective in 2014 and serves as an investigating detective. The division is supervised by Chief Daniel Doellinger.

The investigating detective is assigned the cases for any criminal matters that require an investigation. The detectives also assist the other officers in various cases through interviews, the collection of paperwork, acquiring of records through subpoenas and other methods and other investigative tasks, as needed. The division has solved cases with the use of DNA and stays in tune with today’s changing technology regarding the science of solving cases.

Detectives are also responsible for the recording, tracking and execution of most warrants issued by the local town court. They also maintain the department’s Sex Offender Registry information and insure that the registered sex offenders who reside in the town comply with the requirements of their risk level. The Detective Division also completes background checks for applicants to the Town of Chester Police Department and for other agencies when requested.

The Detective Division may be reached at (845) 469-7000 Ext. 305, and tips may be left at (845) 469-7000 Ext. 370. Tips may be left anonymously, if you wish.

The Detective Division periodically runs special details to address quality of life issues or target areas where there has been an increase in crime. The details are usually performed by officers and detectives in plain clothes utilizing an unmarked vehicle. In the past, the details have targeted the Heritage Trail, Hamlet of Sugar Loaf and various housing complexes. The details were successful in detecting criminal activity, apprehending offenders and deterring future problems.

Officer Jan Oppmann served as the School Resource Officer at the Chester Academy from 2005 through 2011. The Chester Academy serves students in grades 6 through 12 who live in the Chester Union Free School District. She completed School Resource Officer training in 2002. She also teaches the DARE program at the Chester Elementary School and spends the rest of her time covering patrol duties as the department’s senior patrol officer. The program is currently suspended due to budgetary constraints.

One of the most important aspects of the SRO program is the ability of the officer to develop teamwork in fighting many problems that the students of today are facing. The basic outline of duties for the SRO include investigating crimes that occur within the school and on school property, creating a positive role model for the students, creating a link between law enforcement and the students, and being a resource for parents, staff, administration and students in regards to law enforcement and community problems.

The SRO works with the school administration, educators and counselors. Each role is dependent on the needs of the situation.

Officer Jan had an office in the school and was available for students who seek her assistance. She also served as the department’s link to the school community. She provided instruction on various law enforcement related topics during the school year to both faculty and staff. Officer Jan and Chief Doellinger coordinated the planning and implementation of underage drinking deterrent programs, including a mock DWI crash scenario, during the week before the prom. The mock DWI crash scenario is still being presented annually, and was coordinated by Officer Curt Natalizio in 2014.