The NJ Police Chief Magazine Volume 25, Number 4 | Page 4

The New Jersey Police Chief Magazine | April 2019
FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT
CHIEF RICHARD J. BUZBY, JR.
LITTLE EGG HARBOR PD
Some of you may recall that pretty lofty list of action items from my speech the night I was sworn
in as president. Some folks (including myself) would have called that list pretty aggressive. Most
would have probably have gone with probably unattainable. The Board, our members and our other
supporters, however, have put our collective heads down and worked tirelessly this year on all of
that nonetheless. I am very happy to report as a result at this juncture that March and early April
have been very active months, with demonstrable successes along those and other lines, equally
important to the association. Some of those are:
Less lethal: We had our first working group meeting and found we not only had near complete
consensus within the august body of expertise in that room, but also with the AG's staff suggestions
as well. It appears from this early interaction that the remaining (non-taser) approved less lethal devices are likely to be moved
into the new four point enhanced mechanical area. That will allow their deployment in the cases of resistance to arrest and risk of
serious bodily injury. Not exactly the route we would have suggested but potentially providing the relief we sought in any case.
Active shooter: Again, a vastly experienced working group in near universal consensus. On tactics the General had suggested a
very decent compromise where Bergen and Hudson will be able to utilize the training they have worked so diligently to provide so
quickly while adequately addressing the firmly held beliefs in the other counties. All in all moving forward nicely.
Diversity: We were able to arrange a sit down with the new CEO and most of the senior leadership of the NJ Civil Service
Commission to discuss this subject. Not only did we appear to reach consensus on our position on diversity, but on many other
issues such as approval of the academy pre-test and candidate testing in general. In addition, the CEO was kind enough to imme-
diately act upon our request to be placed on the new advisory board and there we will be in the good hands of Lou Bordi
addressing these many things as well.
Resiliency: Many of us attended the roll out of the new resiliency program in Burlington County on the 29th. While there are,
appropriately, many new programs in the country, the NJ program now includes support for spouses and families. I understand
that to be unprecedented in these United States and I am very proud of the efforts of Gary Gubbei, Phil Aronow and the many
others that worked tirelessly in these regards. A great effort by all.
I would be remiss if I did not also mention that we had another unprecedented victory at the police training commission regarding
a reversal of a negative vote the commission had taken on moving the waiver period for class two sleos to four years from the
present three. This, again, would not have been remotely possible with the staunch support of friends like the NJ PBA, NOBLE, the
NJ Sheriffs, Prosecutors, Parole and Corrections and many others. Great to see law enforcement working together as it should for
a great goal of diversity and opportunity for all.
I would also be remiss if I did not mention the efforts of the Marijuana committee, led by the great Chief John Zebrowski. They
have realized all along that they are working against a stacked deck but that has not stopped them from a determined and gutsy
resistance that has laid bare for NJ citizens many of the rather unfortunate truths that legalization has brought to other areas.
Even if they fail in total opposition, much credit is due them for the recent legislative setback that will, unquestionably, cause any
new bill to come forth in a form more safe and acceptable to all.
Lastly, as I said at the meeting, I lost my father in the middle of all of the above and I cannot express the gratitude of my family
and myself for all of the friendship and support we have received from so many during this difficult time.
Thanks for listening,
Chief Richard J. Buzby, Jr.
NJSACOP President
3