stopped for a while. I heard it was back again, and that two guys
in my department went before me. I asked them about it. I asked
the chief, and he sent me.”
The public manager program is designed to develop publicsector employees, administrators and supervisors into organizational leaders who are efficient, effective and ethical. Among the
areas of core emphasis in the program are topics such as budgeting, problem solving and leadership. Program officials describe
the program as helping leaders navigate the demands and challenges of today’s public management environment.
Those are some of the values Gallagher highlights about his
motivation to take part in the program. In his role, Gallagher – as
do other administrative captains – handles budgets and purchasing duties within New Jersey state rules.
“These are things I need help with that I haven’t done before,”
he said, referring to rules that require purchases to follow certain
state contracts and must involve approved vendors. “Purchasing
the equipment and monitoring the budget is not a tough-guy
thing, not a very police thing. It’s a job that needs to be done, and
if it’s not done properly we will run out of money at the end of the
year, which can really hurt the department.”
He’s also been drawn to the practical values from the course
modules,
including
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