FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT
CHIEF LOUIS BORDI VOORHEES PD
The New Jersey Police Chief Magazine | October 2020
New Jersey has long led the nation in progressive policing and the adoption and implementation of best practices . Continuous improvement is a hallmark of progressive organizations , and New Jersey ’ s Chiefs of Police have been a driving force for positive change for over a century . This is necessary not only to ensure the trust and confidence of the public that we serve , but to also keep New Jersey policing at the forefront of the law enforcement profession .
In contemporary policing , while we never lose our focus on our core mission and responsibilities , it does require the implementation of innovative partnerships , programs and methods that meet the needs and expectations of our communities . A prime example of this is the Immediate Mobilization Police Assisted Crisis Team ( IMPACT ) program that has been pioneered by Chief Chris Winters and the Pine Hill Police Department , in partnership with Volunteers of America Delaware Valley ( VOADV ). For the past year , this collaboration has enabled Pine Hill to engage in what might be called 21 st century community policing . Case managers are integrated within the police department , connecting people in the community with access to housing , mental and behavioral health services , addictions counseling , and more .
It is important to emphasize that we are not talking about buzz words or feel-good phrases . This collaborative effort has a real and lasting impact on people and on the community and helps the officers and the department serve and protect the public . Chief Winters has previously spoken about how the expanded partnership further enhances his officers ’ ability to serve his residents with distinct needs , helping to develop a collaborative solution to stabilize the homeless and at-risk population of the borough . The program offers the opportunity for engagement at every point of contact , including street-level encounters or calls for service , families in crisis , emotionally disturbed individuals and overdose victims , and those encountered via the municipal court system or at the point of arrest .
VOADV workers share a workspace within the Department and are able to address issues as they come in from there . Sometimes scenes must be secured before the social services staffers are notified ; the Chief has emphasized that the encounters with the public are “ fluid and dynamic .” Although the program helps to reduce the crime rate as well as the rate of recidivism in the community , its primary purpose is to identify people who are struggling and help them get what they need to get back on their feet . This integrated partnership helps law enforcement to get at the core of the behavior and circumstances that lead to people encountering the criminal justice system . Again , I want to be clear – this is not an exercise in public relations or a mere feel-good story . Just as techniques and strategies that were new and unorthodox in the past are now seen as obvious solutions , so too will collaborative efforts such as the IMPACT program be considered essential tools for policing in the years to come .
Other than space in the department ’ s facility , there is really no cost to the department or the municipality . The program is fully funded by way of state appropriations and grants .
I bring this to our Membership ’ s attention not just to bring some well-earned recognition to the Pine Hill Police Department ’ s success , but also to announce that the NJSACOP and our NJ Police Chiefs Foundation , with the critical assistance of VOADV , will be spearheading a pilot program to expand the reach of this innovative approach . We are in the process of bringing the program to additional police departments , and to creating a ‘ toolkit ’ for use by any agency in our state . The Association will be providing much more information on these efforts in the near future .
Of course I am aware that police chiefs and police departments throughout our state have long been creating and implementing effective and innovative programs and services that have had , and continue to have , a real and positive impact on their communities . The Association would love to hear from our members about those programs and services , and will do all in our power to spread the word and , when possible , help bring these to other agencies that may benefit from their adoption .
In the meantime , thank you for all that you do to keep New Jersey police leadership at the forefront of the law enforcement profession .
Professionally ,
Chief Louis Bordi NJSACOP President
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