SOUTH JERSEY HISTORY

A look back: Camden police of the '80s and '90s

In May, 1981, a police honor guard approaches the Camden Police Administration Building during a National Police Week memorial service.
In May, 1981, a police honor guard approaches the Camden Police Administration Building during a National Police Week memorial service.
File Photo
August, 1981: Camden police and firemen show their grim message on the steps of city hall.
August, 1981: Camden police and firemen show their grim message on the steps of city hall.
File Photo
September, 1981: Fraternal Order of Police president Al Kafitz (seated) checks a petition from Camden police officers to rescue laid-off workers.
September, 1981: Fraternal Order of Police president Al Kafitz (seated) checks a petition from Camden police officers to rescue laid-off workers.
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September, 1981: Laid-off policeman R.J. Moore (left) and FOP president Albert Kafitz check bylaws.
September, 1981: Laid-off policeman R.J. Moore (left) and FOP president Albert Kafitz check bylaws.
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August, 1983: Sign-toting Camden policeman leads protest march across from the Courier-Post. Police termed 'inflammatory' the newspaper's coverage of a July shooting incident in which a police officer and his accused assailant were wounded.
August, 1983: Sign-toting Camden policeman leads protest march across from the Courier-Post. Police termed 'inflammatory' the newspaper's coverage of a July shooting incident in which a police officer and his accused assailant were wounded.
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May, 1984: Camden Mayor Melvin 'Randy' Primas (left) administers oath to the city's newest police officers.
May, 1984: Camden Mayor Melvin 'Randy' Primas (left) administers oath to the city's newest police officers.
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August, 1985: Camden police force hopeful Stephanie Warren, 21, at a workout.
August, 1985: Camden police force hopeful Stephanie Warren, 21, at a workout.
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April, 1987: Camden Policeman Frank Upshaw completes a report during a raid in Farnham Park yesterday.
April, 1987: Camden Policeman Frank Upshaw completes a report during a raid in Farnham Park yesterday.
File Photo
May, 1987: Brian Bachelor talks with Patrolmen Prince Burnett (from left), Edward Cropski, and Ramon Cortes at a ceremony where the four were honored.
May, 1987: Brian Bachelor talks with Patrolmen Prince Burnett (from left), Edward Cropski, and Ramon Cortes at a ceremony where the four were honored.
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December, 1987: Sgt. Howard Caldwell (left) briefs officers in Trenton on the status of the long-awaited state report on the Camden Police Department.
December, 1987: Sgt. Howard Caldwell (left) briefs officers in Trenton on the status of the long-awaited state report on the Camden Police Department.
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April, 1988: Twenty-one new Camden police officers take the oath of office in a swearing-in ceremony.
April, 1988: Twenty-one new Camden police officers take the oath of office in a swearing-in ceremony.
File Photo
October, 1988: Workers from the city's towing service try to rescue a police cruiser that got mired in wet cement.
October, 1988: Workers from the city's towing service try to rescue a police cruiser that got mired in wet cement.
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November, 1988: The Camden Police Headquarters.
November, 1988: The Camden Police Headquarters.
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November, 1988: Sgt. David Klinshaw and Patrolman Edward Cropski work with a computer in the communications room in Camden's police headquarters.
November, 1988: Sgt. David Klinshaw and Patrolman Edward Cropski work with a computer in the communications room in Camden's police headquarters.
File Photo
February, 1989: South Camden residents Jacqueline and Calvin Aiken chat with Sgt. Edward Eldred at an open house at the city's Police Administration Building.
February, 1989: South Camden residents Jacqueline and Calvin Aiken chat with Sgt. Edward Eldred at an open house at the city's Police Administration Building.
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February, 1989: Camden Police Capt. Ed Michalak seems pleased by the giant pink plywood valentine adorning the front of the Police Administration building.
February, 1989: Camden Police Capt. Ed Michalak seems pleased by the giant pink plywood valentine adorning the front of the Police Administration building.
File Photo
May, 1989: Camden police officer Joe Wysocki and Kennedy Towers resident Alfred Hutt have a few words during a spaghetti dinner that local patrol officers sponsored at the Watson Street home for the elderly and disabled.
May, 1989: Camden police officer Joe Wysocki and Kennedy Towers resident Alfred Hutt have a few words during a spaghetti dinner that local patrol officers sponsored at the Watson Street home for the elderly and disabled.
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Camden patrolmen (from left) Paul Muniz, Pete Dolly, Pat Hall, and Keith Johnson review commendations they received in May, 1989.
Camden patrolmen (from left) Paul Muniz, Pete Dolly, Pat Hall, and Keith Johnson review commendations they received in May, 1989.
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June, 1989: State troopers and Camden police search Wildwood Avenue in Camden in an offensive against drug dealers and their customers.
June, 1989: State troopers and Camden police search Wildwood Avenue in Camden in an offensive against drug dealers and their customers.
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September, 1989: State police arrest drug suspects on Larch Avenue in Camden.
September, 1989: State police arrest drug suspects on Larch Avenue in Camden.
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July, 1990: Camden police officers Carlos Vera (left) and Rick DiRenzo try out their newest equipment -- 1340cc Harley Davidson motorcycles purchased through a county grant.
July, 1990: Camden police officers Carlos Vera (left) and Rick DiRenzo try out their newest equipment -- 1340cc Harley Davidson motorcycles purchased through a county grant.
File Photo
January, 1991: Camden Police Lt. Charles Kocher wears a police hat from the 1880s as he shows off a call box from the 1890s.
January, 1991: Camden Police Lt. Charles Kocher wears a police hat from the 1880s as he shows off a call box from the 1890s.
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March, 1992: Patrolmen Domingo Rivera Jr. (left) and Jose Torres walk the beat at the Branch Village Housing Project in Camden.
March, 1992: Patrolmen Domingo Rivera Jr. (left) and Jose Torres walk the beat at the Branch Village Housing Project in Camden.
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March, 1992: Ramon Cortes (left) and Bill Gallagher brush two of the horses they ride as members of Camden's mounted police patrol unit.
March, 1992: Ramon Cortes (left) and Bill Gallagher brush two of the horses they ride as members of Camden's mounted police patrol unit.
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Ramon Cortes (left) and Bill Gallagher stand outside a stable at Garden State Park.
Ramon Cortes (left) and Bill Gallagher stand outside a stable at Garden State Park.
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