The Raritan Township Police Department was established by ordinance on May 13, 1968, with the hiring of one police officer. Until that time the Township was served by the New Jersey State Police. In 1968, the Township was rural and consisted of mostly dairy and chicken farms. The population was approximately 4,000 people. Two more officers were hired in 1970 and in 1973 there were 7 officers working in Raritan Township. By 1980, the size of the force doubled, vehicles were added and report procedures were put into place. The population in 1980 was about 8,300. By 1990, planned residential developments were constructed and the inhabitants of Raritan Township numbered 15,616. At present, we have almost 20,000 residents and our police force stands at 36 sworn officers and 2 civilians as support staff.

The police facility itself started out as part of the township building on South Main Street to a rented cape cod also on South Main. The current facility, which houses both police and court, was built in 1980 and expanded in 1992.