The Police function in Howell Township, as in any modern police department, is incredibly complex. The total range of police responsibilities is extraordinarily broad with many tasks so entangled that separation appears impossible. Further, we cannot easily reconcile the numerous conflicts among different aspects of the function. Anyone attempting to construct a workable definition of the police role will typically come away with old images shattered and with a newfound appreciation for the intricacies of police work.

We justify our organization solely on community service. Although Departmental Regulations provide a working pattern, we cannot confine our official activity within the limited orbit described by them. Actually, that portion of police service dealing with criminals is only a small part of our overall responsibility. By far, the greater percentage of our time and energy is expended on non-criminal service functions and in dealing with citizens of the community. We consider it our duty and privilege, not only to protect our citizens from the criminal, but also to protect and defend the rights guaranteed under our structure of Government. The Howell Township Police Department shall continue to seek and preserve public favor, not by catering to political or public opinion, but by constantly demonstrating absolute impartial service to the law. We shall continue to maintain a relationship with the public that gives reality to the historic tradition that the police are the public and the public are the police; the police being only members of the public who are paid to give full-time attention to duties which are incumbent on every citizen in the interests of the community welfare and existence. Our broad philosophy therefore embraces a wholehearted determination to protect and support the doctrine of individual rights while providing for the security of persons and property in the community. In meeting this goal, it is our mission or function to operate as a service organization.