FREEHOLD — Transitions usually come with their share of issues, and the transition from Freehold Borough’s local police dispatch desk to the Monmouth County 911 Communications Center system is no different.

Freehold Borough Police Chief Glenn Roberts said he is attempting to make the transition as smooth as possible for residents.

The county’s 911 Communications Center is now providing police communications (dispatch) services for the borough. The switch from a local dispatch desk to the county occurred in January.

Residents who need to communicate directly with police at headquarters on Jackson Street will find that a telephone has been installed in the lobby. The phone is inside a bright red box.

“During regular business hours from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., someone from our civilian staff is usually physically here to speak to people,” Roberts said.

The phone that has been installed in the lobby of headquarters may be used by anyone who needs to speak with police after business hours for emergency and nonemergency calls.

Roberts said anyone who is in the area of police headquarters who needs to report an emergency should enter the lobby of headquarters, open the red box, pick up the phone and dial 911. The caller will be connected to the county dispatcher, who will then contact borough police.

If someone needs to speak with a police officer about a non-emergency after hours, the individual may enter the lobby at headquarters, open the red box and dial 732-462- 1234. The call will go to the county dispatch, which will send an officer to headquarters to meet with the caller.

To speak to an employee or police officer in the building, or to make a request or inquiry, call 732-462-1233 or 732-462- 1244.

If an individual needs to notify police from home about an emergency, he should call 911, which will connect him to the county dispatch, which will dispatch police to the scene.

For non-emergency police calls after business hours, residents should call 732- 462-1234 and that will connect them with the county dispatch, which will notify police and have them respond to the call.

If a resident wants to speak to an employee or a police officer, or make a request from a home phone, he can call 732-462- 1233 or 732-462-1244.

Roberts said police have not seen any difference in the calls for service since the dispatch system has been changed.

“The relationship between the county dispatchers and the police department is working well,” the chief said. “The transition is going as well as can be expected. It doesn’t come without growing pains, though. It is all a learning process.”

The Freehold Borough Police Department has its headquarters in the Rug Mill Towers apartment complex on Jackson Street.

Residents may sign up to receive email blasts from Freehold Borough by emailing Pat Ruegger at pruegger@freeholdboro.org and asking to be put on the email blast list.