June 2026
NJSACOP RETIRED MEMBERS SPOTLIGHT: CHIEF JEREMY ABRAMS, MONTVALE POLICE DEPARTMENT
NJSACOP is spotlighting retired police chiefs who have moved on to successful careers in other professions. In this edition, we highlight Chief Jeremy Abrams.
Jeremy Abrams served in the Montvale Police Department for 33 years, with 10 of those being as Chief of Police. Abrams currently works as a Business Development & Division Safety Leader at Colliers Engineering & Design.
What job skills did you develop as a police chief that you now use in your career?
Leadership, integrity, time management and work ethic are the most obvious, but perhaps the most valuable are the interpersonal skills. Managing relationships with several stakeholders prepared me for the interactions I have daily with clients, vendors and colleagues.
What are you most proud of from your years of police work?
First, I am proud to have made a positive difference in the lives of the people I served. I am also proud of our department achieving our initial Accreditation and the work behind attaining that honor.
What drew you to your current career?
Montvale’ s borough engineer encouraged me to join Maser Consulting, joking that while I knew nothing about engineering, my ability to connect with people could be valuable in business development. I went on to serve as a Business Development Professional and Government Services Safety Coordinator at Maser, which became Colliers Engineering & Design.
“ Leadership, integrity, time management and work ethic are the most obvious, but perhaps the most valuable are the interpersonal skills.”
What was the most challenging part of transitioning from law enforcement to your current career?
The first challenge was disconnecting from the 24 / 7 nature of police work. The second was that I had been Chief for ten years, so I was used to being the leader. At Colliers, I was a midlevel employee, not the boss. There was a definite adjustment period, and I had to learn to“ stay in my lane”.
What mindset shifts were necessary for you to succeed outside of policing?
Achieving success in my new role required mastering business development and understanding the corporate environment. Additionally, I had to adapt to a corporate landscape vastly different from a smaller police department. The skills I honed as a police officer and police chief proved invaluable in this transition.
Coming soon …
What advice would you give to police chiefs on the brink of retirement who are considering future career paths?
First, know yourself and do something that interests you. Next, access the incredible network we have available to us through NJSACOP. Finally, a Chief brings a wealth of experience in leadership and management that is unique and often uncommon in the private sector. Capitalize on that skill set.
New Jersey Police Chief Magazine / 34