Monmouth County Sheriff's Office — Commitment to Accountability & Public Trust
Why Transparency in Policing Matters
Transparency in policing is the foundation of public trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve. When agencies operate openly — sharing policies, disciplinary outcomes, use-of-force data, and the procedures officers follow — the public can hold them accountable and meaningfully engage with how their public safety services are delivered.
For the Monmouth County Sheriff's Office, transparency is not a single policy but a sustained commitment. It means publishing the directives that govern officer conduct, reporting on internal affairs investigations, documenting use-of-force incidents, and making the procedures behind body-worn cameras, immigration cooperation, and disciplinary processes accessible to every resident.
The resources collected on this page reflect that commitment. They include New Jersey Attorney General directives the Sheriff's Office follows, annual reporting forms required by state law, and information about the rights and protections available to crime victims and community members.
Attorney General — Promoting Diversity in Law Enforcement Recruiting and Hiring
Pursuant to the December 2021 Attorney General Guideline "Promoting Diversity in Law Enforcement Recruiting and Hiring," the Monmouth County Sheriff's Office is committed to doing all that we can to hire staff who reflect the communities that we serve. See N.J.S.A. 52:17B-4.10.
2023 Census Data indicates that Monmouth County's population is 75% White, 7% Black, 12% Hispanic, and 6% Asian. As of December 31, 2023, the MCSO Law Enforcement Division had 145 officers: 70% White, 8% Black, 16% Hispanic, and 6% Asian or other races/ethnicity.
Although our diversity numbers are in line with the 2023 census data for Black and Hispanic officers, only 14% of our officers are women. The Sheriff's Office is bound by the rules of the New Jersey Civil Service Commission when we conduct our hiring. However, we consistently attend job fairs and community outreach events to recruit applicants from all backgrounds. We will continue to strive to increase the number of female officers and enhance our efforts to seek diverse applicants to join our office.
📋 Use the navigation menu to access specific policies, reports, and resources — including body-worn camera policy, gun laws and safety information, major discipline reports, and victim visa application directives.
Access is provided as an opportunity for comments, commendations, and other information regarding the Law Enforcement Division relevant to accreditation.
A Message from Sheriff Shaun Golden & Monmouth County Sheriff's Office
A Message from Sheriff Shaun Golden
The Monmouth County Sheriff has instituted an agency-wide commitment to excellence. The men and women who serve here are dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and excellence in the field. We will bring together the right team, provide the most comprehensive training, and utilize the latest technology to remain among the premier law enforcement agencies in the nation.
As testament to our commitment the Monmouth County Sheriff's Office is the only county in the state to achieve "Five Star" accreditation of the Law Enforcement Division, the Corrections Division, Correctional Healthcare, the Communications Division, and the Monmouth County Police Academy. We serve as a role model to other Law Enforcement Agencies throughout the state and will continue to raise the standard of law enforcement excellence in New Jersey. Teamwork, training and technology are three essential tools the Monmouth County Sheriff's Office uses to ensure our county remains a great place to live, work and raise a family.
Proudly serving the residents of Monmouth County,
Key firearms regulations every NJ resident should know
🪪 Firearms Purchaser ID Card (FPIC)
Required to buy rifles and shotguns (must be at least 18 years old). Cards issued after 2023 now expire after 10 years.
🔫 Permit to Purchase a Handgun
Required for each handgun purchase (must be at least 21 years old).
🎯 Permit to Carry (Concealed Carry)
New Jersey is now a "shall-issue" state. Applicants must pass training, fingerprinting, background, and mental health checks. Permits are valid for 2 years.
🚫 Sensitive Places (Gun-Free Zones)
Firearms are prohibited in places like schools, parks, bars, and public gatherings. View full list here →
📦 Magazine Capacity Limit
Possession of magazines holding more than 10 rounds is illegal in NJ.
⛔ Assault Firearms Ban
Certain rifles and pistols are banned by name under New Jersey law.
🔒 Safe Storage Law
Firearms must be stored unloaded and locked if minors under 16 are in the home.
📞 Lost or Stolen Firearms
Must be reported to police within 36 hours of discovery.
🏠 New Residents
New NJ residents must obtain an FPIC and register any handguns within 60 days of moving.
🚗 Transporting Firearms
Firearms must be unloaded and locked in a case with ammunition stored separately while being transported.
Best practices for responsible gun ownership
Treat every firearm as if it is loaded.
Always keep guns unloaded and locked when not in use.
Store ammunition separately from firearms.
Use trigger locks, safes, or secure lock boxes.
Never leave guns accessible to children or unauthorized users.
Keep your finger off the trigger until you're ready to shoot.
Know your target and what's behind it.
Take regular safety training courses.
If someone in your home is in crisis, call 988 and secure all firearms.
Reciprocity, red flag laws, and pending court decisions
🔄 Reciprocity
New Jersey does not honor other states' carry permits. Be sure to follow NJ laws when traveling.
🚩 Extreme Risk Protective Orders
Also known as "red flag laws," these allow courts to temporarily remove firearms from individuals considered a danger to themselves or others.
⚖️ Pending Court Decisions
Some gun law changes (like insurance and sensitive places bans) are still being reviewed by the courts. Check official sources for the latest updates.
For more information please visit: nj.gov/njsp/firearms →
Community outreach, presentations, and public safety resources
🎤 Presentations & Demos
🎓 MCSO Programs
🛠️ Services
🪪 Public Safety Cards
For more information, to enroll in a program, or to schedule a presentation/demo please contact Program Coordinator Alexa Quagliato. Visit our website at www.mcsonj.org and click on the Community Outreach link.
Body-Worn Camera Policy & Operations — Monmouth County Sheriff's Office
About the BWC Policy
The Monmouth County Sheriff's Office follows the New Jersey Attorney General's Directive 2021-5 governing the use of body-worn cameras by law enforcement officers. The full policy is provided below and may be downloaded for reference.
Equipment reference and operational documentation
Annual Major Discipline Reporting Forms — MCSO Law Enforcement Division
📋 In accordance with NJ Attorney General Directive, the Monmouth County Sheriff's Office publishes annual reports detailing major discipline imposed on Law Enforcement Division officers. Click any year below to view the full report.
Annual Major Discipline Reporting Forms — MCSO Corrections Division
📋 In accordance with NJ Attorney General Directive, the Monmouth County Sheriff's Office publishes annual reports detailing major discipline imposed on Corrections Division officers. Click any year below to view the full report.
AG Directive 2018-6 — Victim Visa Application Support
About T & U Visa Applications
The Monmouth County Sheriff's Office follows New Jersey Attorney General Directive 2018-6 regarding law enforcement support for T and U visa applications. T and U visas are federal humanitarian protections for victims of human trafficking and certain qualifying crimes. The full directive is provided below and may be downloaded for reference.
Official USCIS application forms and information
