EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ’ S REPORT
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ’ S REPORT
MITCHELL C . SKLAR
NJSACOP Continues Pioneering Work Creating New Partnerships
There is no denying the vital importance of partnerships , collaboration , and cooperative learning among law enforcement agencies and professionals — on a local , regional , national , and international basis . In recent years the NJSACOP has been at the forefront of creating and strengthening links with partners around the country and with policing institutions , forces , and professionals in like-minded nations . In light of the contemporary threats facing all police agencies , such connections and exchange of information and learning is more than just a “ nice to have ”; it is in fact a “ need to have .”
While the past decade-plus has seen a tremendous growth in these connections , the NJSACOP has a long history of reaching out beyond our borders to share and learn , as well as raise the profile of the Association , our members , and policing within New Jersey as a whole . As far back as 1931 Newark Police Chief James McRell represented the NJSACOP at the Association of Chiefs of Police of Europe conference held in Paris . Upon his return to New Jersey , Chief McRell reported to the NJSACOP membership on the “ good and instructive program ” conducted by the European Chiefs . The exchange of information was not just in one direction . As part of his mission in attending the conference , Chief McRell shared the unique “ uniform hand signals 1 ” manual created by and published by the NJSACOP , which he reported had put the NJSACOP “ on the map .”
Today , the NJSACOP is without doubt “ on the map ,” enjoying a reputation as one of the nation ’ s premier law enforcement professional associations . This is due , in part , to the important partnerships the Association has forged with international partners , including the College of Policing [ UK ], the Scottish Police College , Greater Manchester Police [ UK ], the Garda College at Templemore [ Ireland ], and the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police . We have also been the great beneficiaries of assistance from the London Metropolitan Police and the City of London Police . Closer to home , the NJSACOP and the New Castle County [ Delaware ] Police have forged an exceptional working partnership to bring the NJSACOP Command & Leadership Academy to police professionals throughout the region .
As usual , the NJSACOP is not content to sit still ; we have adopted as a governing philosophy the maxim , “ If you are not moving forward , you are falling behind .”
While such partnerships ( as well as our annual Senior Leaders Seminars conducted in conjunction with our partners ) have indeed put the NJSACOP and police leadership in New Jersey “ on the map ,” they of course serve a much larger and more important purpose : creating the best possible police leaders and police agencies for our communities and all of the people that we serve .
1 Back in 1924 the NJSACOP had appointed a special committee to “ adopt a standard of traffic signals , turning , where Officers are stationed and the speeding up of heavy traffic .” A copy of this first-of-its-kind manual is appended to the end of this article .
The New Jersey Police Chief Magazine | December 2024
With Thanksgiving just behind us and the holiday season just around the corner , it is an appropriate time to reflect on all of our blessings . I know that at times it may be hard to actually feel grateful , we all have much to be thankful for , not least of all for the amazing men and women — police officers , firefighters , health care workers , and all first responders — who each and every day provide lessons in courage and selflessness .
We are thankful for the men and women of our military , wherever they are , who are defending not only our lives and our country , but those very liberties and freedoms for which we are so thankful .
Closer to home , we should also be thankful for the fellowship and professionalism of our colleagues , members , and all of the supporters of our membership and our association .
On behalf of the NJSACOP Executive Staff , as well as my own family , I wish you all a Merry Christmas , a happy and thankful holiday season , and a safe , happy , and healthy , New Year .
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