FROM THE PRESIDENT’ S DESK CHIEF JOHN RUSSO, RUTHERFORD PD
The New Jersey Police Chief Magazine | May 2025
As a follow up to my comments made at the May monthly meeting, the PTC is moving forward with a proposed rule change that would make psychological exams for new hires attending the police academy mandatory in-person exams. This is a change from what we have been doing since COVID-19 hit. It is my opinion, as well as the Board of Officers, that this is not a needed change from our current practice, nor was the proposal generated as a result of a needs assessment based on factual evidence. The potential for budgetary and scheduling issues are definitely a concern if this rule is passed. The PTC has open public comments permitted through June 6 on the proposal, which, if you feel as strongly as I do, please make your thoughts known. Whether for or against the rule change, there is no better way to ensure a proper decision is made than hearing from the Chiefs who have to deal with those decisions once enacted. We have heard from some of the medical professionals throughout the State about this topic and the information provided by them has been reassuring to me that my feelings here are not off-target. I have asked our Chief Psychologist, Dr. Lew Schlosser to share his comments on this topic and hopefully you will be able to see those comments in an upcoming E-Lert. Ultimately, I feel it should be each Chief’ s decision whether he / she would like their candidates tested virtually or in-person. I will post that link to the proposed rule change and comments section below.
It was good to hear from our two Fourth Vice President candidates at the May meeting. I again want to thank both Chief LoSacco and Chief Winters for their interest in becoming a member of this elected board and for all the work they both have done for this Association thus far. I look forward to working as a Past President with our next 4th.
Finally, May is highlighted by National Police Week. This year National Police Week began on May 11th. As always, National Peace Officers Memorial Day was May 15th, and the 37th Annual Candlelight Vigil was held on Tuesday, May 13th. I strongly encourage anyone who has not been able to attend the Candlelight Vigil to try to get to one during your career; it is a very solemn and moving memorial to our fallen brothers and sisters, something I will never forget. Whether you travel to the Nation’ s Capital to be part of the week’ s events or are unable to attend due to other commitments, please take some time during each year’ s National Police Week to remember those officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice and support your personnel who do attend or participate in the Unity Tour or Operation Deep Blue in their goal to raise awareness of our fallen.
Use the link below to get to the summary and comments section of the proposed PTC rule change. Click on“ April 7, 2025,” then“ Rule Proposals,” then“ Law and Public Safety— Division of Criminal Justice.”
CLICK HERE
NJSACOP Monthly State Chiefs Briefings June 5, 2025 September 4, 2025 October 2, 2025 November 6, 2025
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