CHIEF TALK: Episode #13
Chief Thomas Dellane
Thomas Dellane has dedicated his professional career to public service in his community – serving 35 years with the police department and now beginning his seventh year as police chief.
On July 1, 2022, the Stafford resident also took on a much-wider, statewide role, as president of the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP) for a one-year term. His main objective: Continue to reduce the polarization between law enforcement and New Jersey communities while building bridges that enhance understanding, cooperation and communication.
“My personality has always been to get involved and try to improve things as much as I can,” said Dellane, who joined the NJSACOP Board in 2018. “It has interested me immensely to play a role in crafting policies and procedures for law enforcements professionals.”
For example, in his leadership role with the NJSACOP, he was involved in a committee that is educating New Jersey about the emergency 988 line. On July 16, 988 became the nationwide 3-digit dialing code for crisis and suicide prevention, replacing the 1-800 number the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline uses.
Dellane, who is also an attorney, has testified before the state Legislature on behalf of the NJSACOP, as well as written to state lawmakers to highlight the association’s position and perspective on various proposed laws.
As president, Dellane said, he is focusing on the licensure of police officers; a bill that Gov. Phil Murphy signed in July 2022. The Police Training Commission needs to establish rules, as well as policies and procedure. “There will be a lot of opportunities to provide input and the NJSACOP must be involved in that process,” he said.
Dellane is also focused on proposed legislation regulating marijuana use for police officers. Under current law, law enforcement is permitted to use recreational cannabis during off-work hours. The NJSACOP has been vocally opposed, calling for the state Legislature to close this loophole as part of efforts to maintain the public trust.
Another issue of concern is the Open Public Records Act (OPRA), designed to ensure transparency in government by providing easy access to public information. Dellane is a strong supporter of OPRA when it is used correctly. But some private attorneys have been abusing the system, using the police staff to research vehicle accidents and providing information that could be potentially used to secure clients and settlements.
Dellane, who earned a law degree from Rutgers-Camden in 2008, is also chairman of the policy board of the Middle Atlantic Great Lakes Organized Crime Law Enforcement Network, part of a regional information sharing system.
Since 2015, the chief has served for the International Association of Chiefs of Police in a policy center advisory group, which vets all proposed policies.
Locally, Dellane has volunteered with the Fighting Children’s Cancer Foundation for 10 years, serving as co-chair of South Jersey fundraising events. He is also founder and president of the Stafford Township Police Foundation, a non-profit that supports and advances law enforcement personnel and their families.
Moreover, Dellane is heavily involved with the On P.O.I.N.T. (Proactive Outreach In Needs and Treatment) program in Stafford, in which the department works closely with social workers to provide emergency mental health services for the public. The program addresses the high volume of mental health, substance abuse and social service related calls and incidents that use a considerable volume of police and emergency resources. The program was launched in Stafford and has quickly grown to nine other municipalities.
NJSACOP is pleased to have Chief Dellane appear on the ChiefTalk podcast.
