The NJ Police Chief Magazine Volume 26, Number 1 | Page 4

The New Jersey Police Chief Magazine | September 2019
FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT
CHIEF CHRISTOPHER M. LEUSNER
MIDDLE TOWNSHIP PD
I want to thank everyone who attended our 107 th Annual Training Conference in June in
Atlantic City. I hope you enjoyed yourself, learned valuable information in our training
sessions, and did some networking.
This summer has certainly been a challenging one for our country and our thoughts and
prayers are with the communities in Dayton and El Paso and the brave first responders.
My hope for this upcoming year is to make strides in moving our profession forward to
make a difference in our communities and promote a positive message about our great
officers. One of the important initiatives I will be focusing on is Building Resiliency in
children through Police Youth Engagement. I know all of you entered this profession to make a difference in your
communities, and this is an area where I believe we can make a huge impact and improve public safety.
The science is clear about the significant impact – and risks - to children who experience traumatic events, otherwise
known as Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Children who experience significant amounts of toxic stress as a
result of ACEs are more likely to have poor health, educational, and social outcomes. Police Officers are in a unique
position to play a pivotal role to mitigate these impacts through trauma informed and responsive police practices and
making referrals to partners to help these children build resiliency.
In an effort to help Police Chiefs with the resources and tools to implement these practices, we have partnered with
the New Jersey Principal and Supervisors Association, the New Jersey Association of School Administrators, and
Prevent Child Abuse New Jersey to hold a Leadership Symposium on October 4 th at the FEA Conference Center (12
Centre Drive in Monroe, NJ).
At this Symposium, school administrators and law enforcement representatives will come together to explore the
power of partnerships in supporting youth impacted by adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Participants will learn
more about the physiological and psychological issues resulting from traumatic experiences and how local police can
assist schools in implementing timely and effective trauma informed strategies.
I look forward to seeing you all at this Symposium.
Be Safe,
Christopher M. Leusner
President, NJSACOP
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