Freeholder Edward McDonnell tells the Courier-Post of Cherry Hill that towns could choose whether to join. If they do, they would have to pay a fee to the county government - but it would likely be less than the cost of maintaining separate forces for each community.
County officials say they would look to hire officers and firefighters who are laid off as local forces disband.
New Jersey has 566 towns, most of them small and has been looking for ways to cut down on its highest-in-the-nation property taxes.
Officials say Somerset County is also exploring a countywide police service.
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Information from: Courier-Post
