The New Jersey Police Chief Magazine | September 2023
NJSACOP ’ s Command & Leadership Academy Has Largest Graduating Session in its History
108 Students Now Enrolled through Five Regions
There is no question the NJSACOP ’ s Command & Leadership Academy is a ‘ crown jewel ’ in the association ’ s Professional Development Division portfolio . It has developed into one of the nation ’ s premier law enforcement leadership development courses , even attracting law enforcement leaders from surrounding states .
And following the pandemic , the NJSACOP is seeing its Academy courses sold-out , with a waiting list in some regions into 2025 . More and more command and supervisory officers are attracted to the Academy ’ s unique blend of theory and application designed to fulfill that mission of creating future leaders in law enforcement .
To underscore the popularity of the program , this fall ’ s Academy class is the largest in its history .
Hundreds of law enforcement supervisors have graduated from the program since the early 1990s , as the program has steadily expanded from New Jersey into five surrounding states , said Paul Sorrentino , Professional Development Director , NJSACOP .
“ During the pandemic , the Academy could only provide online learning and testing ,” Sorrentino said . “ Now , all of our Regions are in-person . We are back in the classroom , which is a key reason why so many law enforcement supervisors are signing up . They are eager for the experience .”
He noted many command and supervisory personnel embrace the education , as the challenging curriculum is designed to force the students to find new methods to solve problems through logic , critical thinking , methodology and vision .
“ We are asking law enforcement officers to sit in a classroom and work together in small groups to figure out the answer ,” Sorrentino said . “ This is not what we normally do . We are challenging them to find the answer in a different way .”
The 13-week , 104-hour curriculum is set up similarly to college semesters , with the tuition-based programs offered in the spring and fall . The curricula — following a leadership course ( PL300 ) that West Point cadets receive their junior year — focuses on four key areas : preparing yourself to lead , understanding and motivating others , leading great teams and leading great organizations . There are an additional 20 hours of testing beyond the course work .
“ This program translates well for supervisory officers in law enforcement preparing for the next step ,” said Sorrentino , noting the students meet once a week , from 9 a . m . to 5 p . m ., as well as once per week within their group outside of their classroom . Students are assessed through exams delivered at the end of each area . At the end of each class . NJSACOP holds a graduation ceremony and confers certificates . This year ’ s graduation ceremony for the fall class will be held in January .
When the program was launched in 1992-93 , there were northern and southern regions established for the course in New Jersey . As the program expanded , Region 3 was added to serve Delaware , Maryland , Virginia and southern New Jersey . Region 4 was launched for Middlesex and Somerset counties . And then Region 5 came on board , comprising eastern Pennsylvania , through an arrangement with the Chester County Sheriff ’ s Office .
Academy participants come from a wide variety of agencies at the local , county , state , and federal levels . Because of partnerships , a handful of students come from the FBI , the Federal Air Marshal Service , US Marshals Service , the New Jersey State Police , as well as Transit Authorities along with Port Authorities .
“ Besides the education students receive from the course modeled after West Point , the program also qualifies for undergraduate and graduate level credits from several institutions ,” Sorrentino noted . “ The NJSACOP has established relationships with colleges and universities , allowing students to further their education as they prepare to be leaders in their agencies .”
Graduates may be eligible for transfer undergraduate and / or graduate credits via Fairleigh Dickinson University , Saint Elizabeth University , Kean University and Wilmington University .
Learn more at NJSACOP . org . 10