One in an occasional series
Retired Chief Spotlight Chief Mike McCann [ River Vale PD ]
NJSACOP is spotlighting retired police chiefs who have moved on to successful careers in other professions. In this edition, we highlight Michael McCann, Sr. Director of Law Enforcement Relations for ecoATM. Chief McCann retired from the River Vale Police Department in Bergen County, in 2014, after serving 25 years in law enforcement, including just over five years as Chief of Police.
What job skills did you develop as a police chief that you now use in your career? Many skills I relied on as Chief translate well to my current role. Crisis communication taught me how to deliver clear messaging under pressure. Relationship-building with stakeholders remains invaluable, as does diplomacy in tense situations. Budget management and organizational vision also continue to serve me in leading teams and making strong business cases.
What are you most proud of from your years of police work? I’ m proud of the legacy I left within my agency and community. It’ s rewarding to know I made a difference beyond individual cases. On a personal level, having my family support me through it all— and now seeing two of my children follow this path— is my greatest source of pride.
What drew you to your current career? Attending the FBI National Academy connected me to a powerful network I hadn’ t fully appreciated at the time. That network led me to an opportunity in the private sector, perfectly aligned with my background. I’ ve now been with my company for over a decade, continuing to support public safety in new ways.
What advice would you give to police chiefs on the brink of retirement who are considering future career paths? Plan earlier than you think, and recognize that your leadership and crisis management skills are valuable outside law enforcement. Lean on your professional network, especially connections from programs like the FBI National Academy. Most importantly, be open to redefining your purpose beyond the badge.
What was the most challenging part of transitioning from law enforcement to your current career? The hardest part was adapting to the corporate world’ s culture and language, which felt very different from policing. I had to learn new ways of communicating to gain credibility in business settings. Travel was another unexpected challenge, as it quickly became a regular part of the job.
What mindset shifts were necessary for you to succeed outside of policing? In policing, decisions are made quickly and decisively; in business, they’ re often slower and require building consensus. I had to shift from relying on policies and laws to navigating gray areas and relationships. Success meant embracing collaboration and patience as much as leadership.
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