The gavel has been passed to the next president of the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP) during a recent ceremony at the police chief’s 113^th-annual Training Conference & Police/Security Expo in Atlantic City.

Andrew Caggiano, the chief of the Montville Township Police Department, was sworn-in as the association’s 110^th president for a one-year term.  In accepting the role as a statewide leader in law enforcement, Caggiano said, a prime objective will be to give the police chiefs a greater voice in legislative affairs and ensuring their position is considered when proposed laws are discussed.

With a new governor to be elected in November, and a new administration taking charge throughout Trenton, it will be imperative for the police chiefs to be front and center, serving as a helpful and consistent resource about issues facing law enforcement, he said.

“There needs to be a team approach to ensuring the voice of law enforcement is heard and considered when laws are introduced,” Chief Caggiano said. “Over the next year, and into the future, the NJSACOP will be building strong relationships with our federal partners, the state’s Attorney General, the State Police, the county prosecutors, the county sheriff’s association and, of course, state lawmakers.”

Other initiatives:

• Many of New Jersey’s police departments face recruitment challenges, with declining interest in law enforcement careers and difficulty attracting a diverse pool of local, qualified candidates. This shortage, often attributed to evolving job demands, is requiring police to launch more creative recruitment strategies. Chief Caggiano is calling for more targeted community outreach, focusing on diversity that represents the demographics of the community served and exploring incentives to retain experienced officers for longer periods. Improved recruitment, he said, requires police to highlight all that the profession has to offer, such as promotions and expanded roles.

• Chief Caggiano is looking forward to promoting an extensive legislative agenda. For example, NJSACOP continually expresses concerns about the state's bail reform, particularly regarding the release of individuals who then commit further crimes, creating a "revolving door" of repeat offenders.  NJSACOP is also calling for a revamp of the juvenile justice system, ensuring that minors who commit horrific acts are tried as adults.

• Chief Caggiano said the NJSACOP has one of the strongest officer wellness programs in the nation, with its own chief psychologist. Ensuring police chiefs across the state have access to this service, and are encouraged to use it, is paramount.  There are also many more services and resources the NJSACOP provides police chiefs; Chief Caggiano is eager to showcase all that is available.

• The NJSACOP has been working closely with the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety to educate the public about traffic safety, with two videos developed over the past year, as well as social media content. Chief Caggiano wants to continue that focus, in an effort to curb current trends and significantly reduce the number of injuries to motorists and pedestrians on New Jersey’s roadways.

• Promoting police accreditation is another priority. NJSACOPadministers the New Jersey Law Enforcement Accreditation Program (NJLEAP), a voluntary, statewide program designed to improve law enforcement agency performance through the adoption of professional standards and a rigorous assessment process. Accreditation through NJSACOP demonstrates a commitment to best practices and can lead to various benefits for agencies.  Chief Caggiano wants to expand the program, where possible.

Chief Caggiano began his career with the Montville Township Police Department in March of 1997. He served in the Patrol Division, Detective Bureau and in the Administration of the police department. He was sworn in as Montville Townships 9th Police Chief on January 1, 2019.

Chief Caggiano has a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. In 2006, he attended the West Point Command and Leadership Program. In 2017, he attended Session #267 of the F.B.I. National Academy.

He has also served on the Executive Board of the Morris County Chief’s Association and Executive Board of the FBI National Academy Associates – NJ Chapter as Immediate Past President.

“I look forward to the many challenges ahead and working diligently for all New Jersey Police Chiefs,” Chief Caggiano said.  “Together, we will keep New Jersey law enforcement as a model for the profession.”

Learn more at NJSACOP.org