April 2026 | The New Jersey Police Chief Magazine 23 E
Members have access to a wide array of immersive experiences, including:
• International Command Exchanges: High-level delegations to Scotland, Northern Ireland, and England, where we study the " policing by consent " model, community engagement, and counterterrorism strategies.
• Historic Staff Rides: Deep-dive leadership studies at Gettysburg or Valley Forge, where we analyze the decision-making of legendary commanders under extreme pressure to apply those lessons to modern crisis management.
For me, the choice was the international exchange, and the timing was a whirlwind.
From Bridgeton to the World: A Whirlwind Transition
Becoming Chief on July 1st and departing for an international leadership exchange on July 5th was a unique challenge. Most new Chiefs spend their first week buried in personnel files and budget spreadsheets. Instead, I found myself in the historic streets of Scotland, engaging with some of the most sophisticated policing minds in the world.
This timing was providential. As a new Chief, you are often expected to have all the answers immediately. The Scotland retreat taught me that the best leaders don ' t necessarily have every answer— they have the best resources and the most reliable networks. By stepping out of my jurisdiction so early, I was able to look back at Bridgeton through a wide-angle lens, seeing our local challenges as part of a global tapestry of public safety.
The Power of International Partnerships
One of the primary benefits of these NJSACOP retreats is the bridge they build between New Jersey and global policing leaders. Policing in the UK, particularly in Scotland with its consolidated national force, offers a unique mirror to our own American systems.
The dialogue between NJ leaders and our international counterparts revealed a striking truth: the fundamental issues of policing are universal. Whether in the Highlands or the heart of Cumberland County, we are all grappling with recruitment and retention, the evolving role of technology, and maintaining community trust. By discussing these issues with Scottish leaders, I gained a head start. I wasn ' t just learning how we’ ve always done it in New Jersey; I was learning how the best in the world are innovating for the future.
Building the Lifelong Delegation Bond
While the international insights were invaluable, the most enduring benefit occurred within our own delegation. There is a unique " foxhole mentality " that develops when a group of Chiefs travels abroad together. Away from the daily pressures of our respective towns, we found the space to be vulnerable, to ask the " tough " questions, and to share the anxieties that come with the top job.
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