By: Najla Alexander
Morris County officials announced that Police Chief Conrad Pepperman, who leads legislative advocacy for the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP), is the recipient of the organization’s 2024 Chief Sandy Danco Service Award.
Pepperman – the association’s legislative committee chair – accepted the award during the annual NJSACOP gala in Atlantic City on June 26, receiving a standing ovation from hundreds of police chiefs and other leading law enforcement in the state, officials said.
“It is truly an honor to be recognized by the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, an organization I deeply respect for its continued dedication to upholding quality policing throughout the state,” Pepperman said.
Officials say in accepting the award from NJSACOP President Ed Kerr, whose term ends June 30, Pepperman said it was an honor to volunteer for the proactive organization and to lead efforts to educate state lawmakers about policies that promote public safety in New Jersey.
Pepperman, who has been police chief since September 2017, is widely recognized for his work enhancing policing in Rockaway Borough, officials stated.
For example, officials said, he established a plain clothes detail to combat the Opioid epidemic and worked with partners in the community CARES program to help addicts recover and be treated.
Additional major career accomplishments include graduating from NJSACOP’s West Point Command and Leadership Program and attending the inaugural class of the FBI National Command Course in Quantico, VA, according to officials.
Authorities say he also serves on the Morris County Police Chiefs executive board.
Instituted by the NJSACOP in 2007, the Chief Sandy Danco Award annually recognizes a member Chief for outstanding service to the association, the membership, and the law enforcement profession, officials said.
Officials say the award was named in honor of retired Clark Police Department Chief Anton “Sandy” Danco, a past president of the NJSACOP.
Danco served as an exemplary leader of the NJSACOP, mentoring and tirelessly advocating for police chiefs and professional police leadership in New Jersey, authorities say.