Avalon Police Chief Jeffrey Christopher and Capt. John Roscoe have completed the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP) Command and Leadership Academy. The program fosters and improves leadership skills among police supervisors within the state.

Christopher graduated in May 2019 and was the first ever member of the Avalon Police Department to complete the training. Roscoe graduated in May 2020 as class valedictorian and recipient of the Chief Harry Wilde Award for the Highest Academic Score. Moving forward, Det. Sgt. Matthew Sykes is currently attending the academy with an expected graduation date in December.

“It is extremely important to invest in training for all supervisors of police departments to learn the tools and strategies they need to become a more prepared, thoughtful leader,” Christopher said.

The academy holds strict requirements for participants including active class participation, weekly home studying, testing throughout and a final exam. The Avalon Police Department has achieved three consecutive accreditations from the NJSACOP, and received a score of 100 percent in its most recent accreditation.

“We have among the best police departments in the entire state of New Jersey, and this successful training is evidence of that,” said Mayor Martin Pagliughi. “We have extremely strong leadership in the department, and dedicated men and women who keep the safety and protection of our citizens as their number one objective, every day.”

Photo caption: Avalon Police Captain John Roscoe and Chief Jeffrey Christopher