By: Richard L. Smith
Montville Police Chief Andrew Caggiano, currently serving as the second vice president of the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP), has stepped into a prestigious new role as president of the New Jersey Chapter of the FBI National Academy Associates, Inc.
Slated to become NJSACOP president in 2025, Caggiano joins an elite group of leaders who have helmed both the NJSACOP and the renowned FBI organization, which boasts over 14,000 members globally.
His predecessors in this dual leadership include notable figures like Chris Leusner of Middle Township and Ryan Vandervalk of Hawthorne.
Reflecting on his new position, Chief Caggiano said, "By having these leadership positions, we have the opportunity to learn the absolute latest in law enforcement and bring that information back to our police departments, making them run even more optimally."
Caggiano's journey to this point includes attending a rigorous 10-week training course at the FBI Academy in Quantico, VA., in 2017, a program completed by only 1% of law enforcement personnel.
As a graduate, Caggiano is now part of a global network of over 54,000 alums.
The intensive FBI course covers leadership, training, and physical challenges, including the notorious "Yellow Brick Road" run. Graduates hail from 50 states and 194 countries, representing a wide array of law enforcement agencies.
Chief Caggiano emphasizes the importance of networking and lifelong learning gained from these experiences, stating, "You have people from all over the world who are training with you. I draw on these experiences all the time as a police chief."
In his tenure as president, Caggiano aims to expand training opportunities for state chapter members and enhance the annual state conference in Atlantic City.
He strongly believes in the power of continuing education, made possible through the FBI's collaboration with the University of Virginia, offering college credits transferable nationwide.
Caggiano concludes, "The objective of these highly-regarded professional associations is to never stop learning. I'm very grateful for these leadership opportunities and the many superb professionals I've had a chance to meet along the way."