FDU Educates Leaders in Blue
Police Chiefs Talk Public Safety, Security and FDU
By Rebecca Maxon and Angelo Carfagna
Illustrations by Joel Kimmel
Law-enforcement leaders are charged with protecting and serving their citizens, as well as recruiting, retaining and training qualified officers. And today, facing intense scrutiny, police chiefs are also often tasked with demonstrating greater department and individual accountability and rebuilding trust within communities. The job is demanding and the need for higher education and advanced studies is often critical. That’s where FDU comes in, particularly with its Master of Administrative Science degree, building upon the existing experience and expertise of many top enforcement officials and preparing them for the job ahead.
To celebrate the success of these alumni, the University recently formed the Chiefs Circle, an advisory group of police chiefs dedicated to continued success in recruiting and education.
Here, FDU Magazine profiles three police chiefs and a county sheriff — all FDU alumni. What unites them is their sense of duty, their commitment to their forces and their desire to lead.
FDU’s School of Public and Global Affairs welcomes police and fire professionals and other administrative leaders.
Its programs are designed to serve working professionals, offering in-person, online and blended formats to part-time cohorts during evening and weekend hours. Classes are offered at more than 15 police departments throughout New Jersey, as well as at several Port Authority of New York and New Jersey sites.
FDU offers several degrees that appeal to first responders. Especially fitting for rising police administrators is the Master of Administrative Science (MAS). Its flexible structure allows candidates to earn their master’s degrees in less than 18 months. Up to nine credits may be transferred from previous study, life experience and/or professional development.
Many of those who have advanced to the top of police departments hold the MAS degree and rely on the education and skills they developed at FDU.
For more information on the MAS and other degree programs offered by FDU’s School of Public and Global Affairs visit fdu.edu/publicaffairs, call 201-692-7172 or email dsadowski@fdu.edu.
(Photo: Bill Blanchard)
The Chiefs Circle is an advisory group of police and security alumni, 102 members and counting, who have achieved the status of chief of police.
On October 13, 2022, an exemplary group of 27 chiefs were formally recognized at the inaugural Chiefs Circle Induction Ceremony. Additional chiefs will be inducted in subsequent annual ceremonies. Alumni chiefs are invited to join the Chiefs Circle by emailing SPGA@fdu.edu.