If you’re walking across the 222-acre campus in Randolph, you’ll definitely see them. They’re patrolling the lots near Henderson Hall or standing by the Student Community Center. But here’s the thing that trips up almost everyone: there is no such thing as the "Morris College NJ Police" in the way most people imagine.
Actually, the school is the County College of Morris (CCM), and their security setup is way more nuanced than just having a "campus cop" on every corner. Honestly, the confusion usually starts because people mix up the college’s internal Public Safety Department with the actual Randolph Police or the county-wide training academy nearby.
It’s a weird distinction. You’ve got a team that handles the day-to-day—lockouts, jump starts, and patrolling—and then you have the heavy hitters from the local township who handle the real criminal stuff.
The Reality of Public Safety vs. Sworn Officers
Let’s be real for a second. When you see a uniform on campus, your brain instantly goes to "police." At CCM, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) is the primary presence. These guys are non-sworn. That basically means they don’t carry guns and they don’t have the power to arrest you and haul you off to jail.
They’re basically the glue that keeps the campus running. They’re trained in first aid, CPR, and incident command. If you’re a student and you accidentally lock your keys in your car in Lot 10 (we've all been there), these are the people you call at 973-328-5550. They’re available 24/7, even on those freezing January nights when the campus feels like a ghost town.
But what happens if something actually serious goes down?
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That’s where the Randolph Township Police Department comes in. CCM doesn't operate in a vacuum. They have a direct pipeline to the local police. If there's an emergency that needs a "police response"—think a major theft, a violent incident, or anything involving a weapon—you call 9-1-1, and it’s the Randolph cops who show up. They work together, but they are definitely not the same thing.
Why Everyone Mentions the Morris County Public Safety Training Academy
This is the second layer of the confusion. Just a short drive away in Morris Plains, there’s the Morris County Public Safety Training Academy. People often search for "Morris College NJ Police" because they think the college is the police academy.
It's not.
The Academy is where the actual training happens for the entire county’s law enforcement, fire, and EMS departments. They run the "Alternate Route" program for aspiring officers and host massive drills. CCM students in the Criminal Justice program often head over there for internships or specialized training, which blurs the lines even more in the public’s mind.
The Criminal Justice program at CCM is actually one of their biggest draws. It’s headed by retired practitioners—guys who’ve spent 25 years on the force and know exactly how the system works. They teach everything from computer forensics to arson investigation. So, while CCM doesn’t have its own "police force," it’s essentially the academic hub for the people who will eventually become the police in New Jersey.
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Security Secrets: The Titan Alert and Clery Act
If you’re on campus, you’ve probably seen the yellow boxes. Those are the emergency assistance phones. They connect you directly to a DPS dispatcher. It’s sort of a "safety net" that people ignore until they actually need it.
Then there’s the Titan Alert system.
Basically, it’s an emergency notification system that blasts your phone if there’s a weather closure or a security threat. You have to opt-in, which surprisingly a lot of people forget to do.
Under federal law—specifically the Clery Act—the college is required to keep a daily crime log. If you’re ever curious about what’s actually happening on campus, you can literally walk into the Public Safety office in Building 675 and ask to see it. They have to show you the last 60 days of reported crimes on the spot. It’s transparency that most people don't realize they have access to.
Breaking Down the "Morris College" Name Trap
There is a Morris College in South Carolina. It’s a historically Black college (HBCU) and they actually do have a security force that works with the Sumter Police. If you’re searching for "Morris College NJ Police," you might be getting search results for a school 700 miles away.
In New Jersey, it’s always County College of Morris.
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It’s a small detail, but it matters when you’re looking for specific campus safety reports or trying to find out who has jurisdiction over a parking ticket. Speaking of tickets—the CCM DPS can and will ticket you for not having a permit. You have about two weeks at the start of the semester to get your vehicle registered before they start handing out citations. Trust me, they’re efficient about it.
Safety Tips for CCM Students and Staff
Honestly, the best way to stay safe isn’t just relying on the guys in the uniforms. It’s about being smart.
- Program the Number: Put 973-328-5550 in your contacts right now. If you’re walking to a night class and feel sketched out, call them for a security escort. They do it all the time.
- The RAVE Guardian App: CCM uses this. It basically turns your phone into a personal safety device with a panic button and a "virtual timer" that notifies friends or campus safety if you don’t check in.
- Anonymous Reporting: If you see something weird but don't want to get involved, use the Confidential Witness Report Form on the CCM website. You can stay totally anonymous.
- The 9-1-1 Rule: If it’s life or death, don't call campus security first. Call 9-1-1. The CCM network phones in classrooms are already set up to route those calls directly to the Morris County Communications Center.
At the end of the day, the "police" presence at County College of Morris is a partnership. It’s a mix of professional campus security, local Randolph officers, and a heavy dose of technology. It’s not a standalone precinct, but for a community college, it’s one of the most tightly monitored environments in North Jersey.
Actionable Next Steps:
If you're a current or incoming student, your first move should be visiting the Public Safety office in Building 675 to pick up your parking permit. While you're there, ask them about the RAVE Guardian app setup. It takes two minutes and is the single most effective way to ensure you have a direct line to help while on campus. If you are interested in the law enforcement side of things, look into the Criminal Justice Associate in Science degree; the faculty are almost all retired law enforcement and can provide direct networking into NJ departments.