Camden County's Board of Freeholders approved the concept last week. And city officials had already signed on.
The parties have until Sept. 30 to submit a detailed plan for review by the state's Division of Local Government Services. If the merger happens, Camden would be the first New Jersey city covered by a county police department.
Union officials object to the merger. But county officials hope a countywide force would offer better coverage and lower costs for taxpayers.
So far, the crime-ridden city is the only municipality to sign on. None of the suburbs have expressed much interest.
