FROM THE OATH TO THE HIGHLANDS: MY FIRST FIVE DAYS
AS CHIEF AND THE NJSACOP GLOBAL ADVANTAGE Chief James Battavio, Bridgeton Police Department
April 2026 | The New Jersey Police Chief Magazine 22
FROM THE OATH TO THE HIGHLANDS: MY FIRST FIVE DAYS
AS CHIEF AND THE NJSACOP GLOBAL ADVANTAGE Chief James Battavio, Bridgeton Police Department
Abstract After taking the oath as Chief of the Bridgeton Police Department on July 1st, I departed for an NJSACOP leadership retreat in Scotland just four days later. This experience highlights the association’ s diverse professional development— from international exchanges in the UK to historic staff rides at Gettysburg. This article explores how these global partnerships and the resulting network of New Jersey peers provided an essential lifeline for my transition into command.
The weight of the badge changes the moment you step into the role of Chief of Police. It is no longer just about the tactical or the operational; it is about the visionary and the structural. When I took the oath to lead the Bridgeton Police Department on July 1st, I knew the challenges would be immense. However, I didn’ t realize that the most profound preparation for my tenure would begin just four days later, on an airplane bound for Scotland.
Participating in the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police( NJSACOP) leadership retreats is not merely an " away from the desk " experience. For me, it was a baptism by fire into the global community of law enforcement leadership— a journey that transformed my perspective on what it means to lead in the 21st century.
A Spectrum of Leadership: From Historic Battlefields to Global Capitals
The NJSACOP offers a diverse portfolio of professional development that caters to every facet of a police executive’ s growth. Whether it is looking backward at the lessons of history or forward toward global innovation, the association provides a roadmap for excellence.