Bruce Painter
Bruce Painter returned to the Burlington Township Police Department in January of 2022, when he was appointed as a civilian Public Safety Director. Director Painter was previously employed by Burlington Township in a sworn capacity from March of 1995 through June of 2021. During that 26 plus year career, he held the positions of Patrol Officer, Sergeant, Lieutenant and during the last 6 years of his tenure, he served in a dual capacity as Lieutenant/Public Safety Director.
During his law enforcement career, Director Painter served in numerous units such as Community Policing, Adopt-A-Cop, Field Training Officer, Bicycle Patrol, and Firearms Training Unit. Furthermore, he was one of the first officers in Burlington Township to serve as an operator on the Burlington County Joint Tactical Team. Director Painter was as instructor at the Burlington County Police Academy, served as the department’s Lead Firearms Instructor and also served as a team leader on the Joint Burlington City/Burlington Township/Mt. Holly Special Reaction Team. Director Painter is also a member of the International Associations of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors, International Associations of Chiefs of Police, and LEEDA (Law Enforcement Executive Development Association).
A few of Director Painter’s accomplishments include:
- Graduate of Rowan University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice.
- Attended the 234th Session of the FBI National Academy.
- Completed the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police West Point Command and Leadership Program.
- Recognized as a New Jersey Certified Public Manager’s through a course sponsored by Farleigh Dickenson University.
Throughout his career, Director Painter has always focused his efforts in maintaining strong community bonds. Under his direction, the Burlington Township Police Department’s Community Policing Unit has developed several key partnerships, which include but are not limited to the following:
- A hand-in hand relationship with the Burlington Township School District, with primary roles in the District’s Emergency Preparedness Team and Faith Based Partnership.
- A full time SRO unit, which has a full-time officer assigned to each of the four school campuses.
- Police Chaplin Program that partners with eight different houses of worship. These Chaplains handle a multitude of responsibilities from officer resilience and counseling to community caretaking.
- The development of a Social Justice Committee which was designed to illicit open and candid conversations between the police and the public we serve.
- Strong working relationships with non-profit organizations focused on improving the needs of the community.
Director Painter’s emphasis on Community Policing echoes in the agencies mission statement, which reads; The mission of the Burlington Township Police Department is based on a commitment to the community through the incorporation of Integrity, Service and Respect.