FROM THE PRESIDENT’ S DESK CHIEF JOHN RUSSO, RUTHERFORD PD
The New Jersey Police Chief Magazine | June 2025
As we quickly approach our summer hiatus, I would like to update the membership on some topics the NJSACOP Board of Officers has been working on this past month. First, we took part in discussions pertaining to pending legislation which revises the juvenile waiver law to allow a juvenile to be tried as an adult for committing criminal homicide against a law enforcement officer. This is something we have been vocal supporters of in the aftermath of the tragic murder of Newark Police Sergeant Joseph Azcona back in March of this year. On a call this month, bill A5573 was brought to our attention and allows for that waiver. Our law enforcement partners on the call from the FOP and PBA also brought to our attention A5721 and its companion S4438 which allows for waiver of a juvenile for terrorism and human trafficking offenses. These bills all make sense to us and I committed the NJSACOP’ s support to these and any other common-sense juvenile justice reforms.
Next, Chief Caggiano has been hard at work getting his year’ s agenda up and running and already has some very important meetings planned for the Board. I will let him report further on that in his September article. I have to say it has been a pleasure to have him as my right-hand man this past year. He is an amazing advocate for this association and I can’ t wait to see where he takes us. As his presidency will see our interaction with the State’ s new Governor, I know he will continue to put the NJSACOP first in his discussions with whoever takes over that office.
For those of you who were not at our June meeting, one lucky agency in the State will take delivery of one pretty awesome patrol vehicle thanks to some of our amazing private sector supporters. Our great friends at All America Auto Group and GTBM / Info-Cop have partnered to provide a completely outfitted, state of the art patrol vehicle that will not only be cutting edge with the equipment inside, it will surely turn heads no matter where it goes. The receiving agency will be determined by rules that have been established by these businesses with the winner being picked in September of this year. Entry will require a video submission from the participating agencies. If interested in this opportunity, please have your personnel attend this month’ s Police / Security Expo to visit their booths to get more details. Good luck to those of you who participate, I am looking forward to watching those videos. Click here for more information.
Congratulations to our incoming 4th Vice President Chief Frank LoSacco, and I look forward to seeing him on the dais in Atlantic City. While the election process showed us how coveted a seat on this Board is and how professional the NJSACOP and its members are, it also brought to light a concern. There are over 500 chiefs across the State, yet we only had less than 200 in“ good standing” to vote. We had even less actually cast a ballot. As I exit, I would like to stress to all of the County Association Presidents the importance of the NJSACOP meetings. Without a doubt, guidance provided in these meetings can be the determining factor between a very good day and very bad day for a chief. Please work to get your memberships’ attendance to our monthly meeting better; it will benefit us all.
Finally, I wish the Association another successful conference and expo, and President Caggiano and his incoming Board of Officers a memorable banquet. Without a doubt, their year will bring the NJSACOP to new heights. Many heartfelt thanks to all those members, committee chairs, instructors, and volunteers who put this group first. A special thank you goes out to Mitch, Melissa, Jennifer, Bill, Paul, Harry, Jonathan, Michael, my Board, and all the Past Presidents who gave guidance during the past year. Your dedication and work ethic are second to none.
What an unbelievable experience!