SOUTH RIVER – Sgt. Kevin Nielsen has graduated from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP) Command and Leadership Academy.
The intensive 14-week program was developed by the NJSACOP in partnership with the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and focuses on leadership as a science, focusing on logical, critical thinking, decision making, communications and conflict management, according to a statement prepared by the South River Police Department (SRPD).
Upon his graduation on Jan. 17, Nielsen became the fifth active police officer from the SRPD to graduate from this leadership program and the seventh overall. Police officers who have previously attended and graduated from the academy are Chief Mark Tinitigan; Lts. Michael Kucharski, John McKenna and Robert Maclosky; and retired police officers Joseph Kolakowski and Gregory Boldizar.
“We are all proud of Sgt. Nielsen’s accomplishment. This is a great day not only for him but also for our agency. Graduating from this challenging program is a testament to his dedication and commitment to the SRPD and the citizens of the Borough of South River,” Tinitigan said.