Police Lieutenant In Wall Ranks First In State Leadership Academy

WALL, NJ — Lt. Michael Steitz graduated first in his class recently from the New Jersey State Chiefs of Police Command & Leadership Academy, the Wall Township Police Department announced.

Steitz, who graduated Oct. 21, was also awarded the “Chief Harry Wilde Academic Award” for ranking first academically out of his graduating class, a reference to the former Cranford police chief who was instrumental in establishing the academy.

The Command & Leadership Academy is a 16-week course with curriculum that was developed through the U. S. Military Academy at West Point in collaboration with law enforcement practitioners and specialists, the department said.

Steitz is not the first officer to go through the training in the township department.

Capt. Chad Clark, of Special Operations, said the department strives to have all Command Staff attend the program.