The NJ Police Chief Magazine Volume 26, Number 6 | Seite 6

The New Jersey Police Chief Magazine | February 2020
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
MITCHELL C. SKLAR
Milestone Month
Some months have holiday festivities (think December), some make us think of those things for
which we are thankful (November), some remind us of our nation’s history (July). February has some
things going for it, of course; Presidents Day for the patriotic and Valentine’s Day for the romantic.
For the NJSACOP, February has another significance – it is the anniversary of the organization’s
founding.
In 1912, about 20 New Jersey Police Chiefs banded together for the purpose of unity, elevating standards, planning,
cooperation, the protection of life and property and close cooperation with law enforcement authorities in neighboring states.
The New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police was officially inaugurated with the first State Chiefs Meeting on February
12, 1912 at the Newark Court House. At the meeting Elizabeth P.D. Chief George Tenney was elected the first NJSACOP
President. By-Laws were adopted and meetings were set for the first Thursday of each month, a tradition that continues
unbroken to this day. The new president addressed the members, and pledged to “do everything in his power to advance the
objects of the Association and work for the betterment of police departments.”
As we enter our 108 th year of service, our organization can be proud of how far we have come, as well as how close we have
stayed to our founding principles. Early on (in fact, by the association’s second meeting), professional development and
training were matters of primary importance, another tradition which continues to this day. By the third year, the
organizational minutes show repeated mentions of “troubles” that certain chiefs were having with local elected officials.
Unfortunately, this is another tradition that continues to live on.
In many ways, of course, if those ‘founding fathers’ could visit our association today, they would be surprised by what they
saw (pleasantly surprised, I would like to think). Of course, our membership has grown to about 400 Active Chiefs, with
hundreds of Retired Chiefs, along with an almost equal number of Law Enforcement Associate and Private Sector Affiliate
Members. Beyond sheer number, our predecessors would be amazed at the existence of a paid, professional staff, and the
tremendous portfolio of programs, services, events, and products that the association offers to our members and their
agencies. But if we have reached towards the sky, it is because we stand on the shoulders of giants, from the first generation
of our members through to those who throughout the decades helped to shape the organization that we know today.
Mitchell C. Sklar, Esq.
NJSACOP Executive Director
The NJSACOP sends its sincerest
condolences to the families of
Chief Richard Tobias
Retired Member
Chief Ralph Behre
Retired Life Member
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