The New Jersey Police Chief Magazine | September 2020
Meet the NJSACOP Command & Leadership Academy Faculty
Paul Sorrentino , Deputy Chief ( Ret .) NJSACOP Command and Leadership Program Manager
This month , we highlight a faculty member that is the Chief of Field Operations with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police Department in New York . Chief Stiehler attended the Command and Leadership course in 2005 and returned as a faculty member in 2010 . His dedication to leadership and personal development is evident in the success he has in Law Enforcement . More importantly , we are reminded daily of the impact Chief Stiehler has had on graduates of the program through their personal and professional achievements .
Al Stiehler , Chief of Field Operations Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police Department , New York , NY Command and Leadership Academy Faculty Member
I was humbled when I was asked to write an article introducing myself and sharing my thoughts on the NJSACOP Command and Leadership Program , the premier leadership training course in the state . Being chosen to attend the class was a privilege . Being invited back as an instructor was an honor .
I was born and raised in Union City , New Jersey , attended high school at St . Joseph ’ s in West New York , and then worked in a few entry level positions before accepting an opportunity to work for the NJ Transit Police in 1987 . I was fortunate to have worked in a variety of different units including patrol , communications , training , internal affairs , and investigations . I was promoted to captain in 2002 and served as the Commanding Officer of our Hoboken Region until 2006 . I was then transferred to our largest command , Newark Penn Station , and served as the Commanding Officer until 2012 . I retired as the Deputy Chief of Patrol on February 1 , 2017 . I have also been an Adjunct Instructor of The Texas A & M Enhanced Incident Management Course since 2015 . I received my Bachelor ’ s Degree in Criminal Justice in 2010 and I completed my Master ’ s Degree in Administrative Science at Fairleigh Dickinson this Spring .
I enjoyed 189 glorious days of retirement . In August of 2017 , I accepted a position with the MTA Police Department in New York . I currently serve as the Chief of Field Operations and oversee Patrol , Emergency Operation , Special Operations , Communications , and Investigations . We have 900 officers and cover a jurisdiction of nearly 5,000 square miles .
My involvement with the Command and Leadership Program began in September of 2006 when I attended the course at the Morris County Police Academy . Thanks to the help of my amazing group mates , I graduated as the class valedictorian . I was invited back as an instructor in 2010 and have been , for the past ten years , blessed with sharing my thoughts on the subject of leadership and facilitating discussions between some of the finest law enforcement executives in NJ .
The challenges facing our profession today are greater than they have been throughout the history of policing . Unabated , disenchantment and uncertainty will flourish throughout our ranks . However , of every challenge is born opportunity . The principles we teach in the C & L program are the guideposts needed to successfully navigate these uncertain waters and emerge as the integral part of society we have been , are , and will always be .
Transformational leaders understand that there is always room for improvement and view change as an opportunity to challenge themselves and the other members of the agency . They display enthusiasm about the changes and exhibit confidence in the team ’ s ability to implement the changes . These leaders encourage others to identify areas of the department that can be improved with some change and challenge them to develop a plan that will alter the current system so that the agency can be better prepared to achieve organizational goals .
Strong leaders demonstrate the positive effect of change by setting the example for the management team and officers . Setting high standards for measurement and behaving in a manner consistent with the vision displays commitment to the organization , the officers , and the community . Transformational leaders continuously engage others in the growth process .
By associating progress with success , officers have the opportunity to internalize the department ’ s vision and focus on accomplishing the agency ’ s goals .
Now more than ever , our officers need strong leadership . It is without a doubt our responsibility as leaders to ensure that they go home safe , both physically AND emotionally . We must provide them with the tools and training they need to be successful and adapt to the ever-changing demands placed upon them . We must also ensure that they know that the work they do , much of which goes unnoticed and unrecognized , is noble work and they can be proud to continue their careers in our chosen vocation as community servants .
11