Former NJSACOP Presidents Bring Leadership Skills to Elected Office
On Election Day , two former presidents of the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police — both now retired — were elected to their local governing bodies .
In Sayreville , John Zebrowksi won a three-year term , as the Republicans will now possess all seats on the Borough Council , as well as the mayor ’ s seat , for the first time in the history of the municipality . And , in Middle Township , Chris Leusner has won a committee seat on the three-person , all-GOP governing body , following in the footsteps of his father , a former elected official .
The New Jersey Police Chief Magazine | December 2023
“ Having spent my entire adulthood serving the public , my service on the Borough Council is a natural extension ,” Zebrowski said . Added Leusner : “ After 26 years in law enforcement , I was looking forward to the right opportunity for another chapter to continue serving the public .”
John Zebrowski and Chris Leusner
The NJSACOP interviewed the former police chiefs , now elected officials , to learn more .
Committeeman Chris Leusner Leusner , who served as NJSACOP President from 2019-2020 , was informed in March by the long-time mayor of Middle Township , Tim Donahue , that he would no longer be running for the Township Committee .
“ After my career in law enforcement , I was looking forward to the right opportunity to serve the people in a different capacity ,” he said . “ I care a lot about this community and still wanted to be involved after my law enforcement career . So , I ran for office .”
Similar to Zebrowski , Leusner does not want to interfere in police operations in his role as an elected official . “ We have a great department , a great police chief and a great working relationship ,” he said . “ It is her job to run the department . I am going to be there to give her what she needs .”
The committee-elect , a Republican , said it is an honor to follow in the footsteps of his father , Chuck , a retired school teacher , who served 24 years on the governing body , from 1982-2006 , and still lives in town . “ My dad is a Democrat . So , we agree to disagree ,” Leusner said , with a laugh . “ But he really supports me .”
Leusner is one of the original six coalition members of the Cape Regional Wellness Alliance , a group of community leaders founded in 2016 charged with administering grant funds from New Jersey Health Initiatives to reduce the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences in Cape May County .
He is known for introducing the “ Handle With Care ” partnership with local schools to alert the district to students who might need extra support after witnessing or experiencing a traumatic incident . That program is now statewide .
Councilman John Zebrowski Zebrowski , a 35-year police veteran , served as Sayreville police chief from May 2011 through August 2022 . He was then approached by former Mayor Kennedy O ’ Brien to join his team , as he considered a new run for office . Zebrowski agreed , beginning his service in February of this year to fill an unexpired term on the Borough Council .
On November 7th , Zebrowski was elected to a three-year term on O ’ Brien ’ s team , which had a clean sweep .
“ My role changed from being the leader of a law enforcement agency to a team member of a larger group ,” he said . “ I transitioned from directing agency supervisors of the police department to providing support for the department heads of our community ’ s agencies in order to better respond to the requests from the residents of Sayreville .”
As a lifelong Sayreville resident Zebrowksi said , he offers plenty of perspective and is proud to be able to recognize and respond to the diverse interests among residents . His leadership role with the NJSACOP prepared him for his next important step .
“ During my time as police chief , I always appreciated the confidence that Mayor O ’ Brien showed in me ,” said Zebrowski , who served as NJSACOP state president in 2021-2022 . “ I am proud to be part of a strong team to move Sayreville forward and ensure it remains in a position to be successful in serving our constituents .”
Zebrowski is also a practicing attorney in New Jersey and Pennsylvania and a Certified Public Manager for the State of New Jersey . He is also Director of Organizational Development for Extra Duty Solutions and serves as co-host of “ Chief Talk ,” the NJSACOP podcast series .
21