2022 Law Enforcement Leadership Award Recipient
The Law Enforcement Leadership Award is given to recognize one who has contributed greatly to improving the profession, instituted successful crime prevention programs, provided leadership in closing difficult criminal cases of strong community concern and providing leadership in effort.
Jiles H. Ship currently serves as Commissioner of the New Jersey Police Training Commission (PTC), where he is responsible for the development and certification of basic training courses for county and local police, sheriffs' officers, state and county investigators, state and county corrections officers, and juvenile detention officers, and was recently on an assignment for the United States Department of Justice, Community Oriented Police Services (COPS) Office and the Police Foundation to review the policing practices and policies of the St. Louis County Police Department.
Commissioner Ship served over 30 years in the field of law enforcement, starting his career in 1985, first serving as an officer on the Edison Police Department (NJ). While serving he arrested a high volume of offenders in the areas of narcotics, burglary, larceny, auto theft, assault, domestic violence, driving under the influence and a multitude of other local, state and federal crimes. He was also a member of the Emergency Response Team (SWAT)) and served as an Instructor for the Middlesex County Police Academy in the areas of Patrol Practices, Unarmed Defensive Tactics and Physical Fitness Training. In 1996, Ship was selected by the Atlanta Committee of the Olympic Games (ACOG) to serve on the International Police Security Team, and in 2004, he was asked by the Honorable Mayor Al McWilliams to serve as the Director of Public Safety for the City of Plainfield, New Jersey. As Chief Executive Officer of the Department of Public Safety, he oversaw the Police Division, Fire Division and the Office of Emergency Management, having responsibility for 254 sworn personnel and 51 civilian employees and managing a budget of over $25 million.
Mr. Ship has received numerous awards and commendations for his many years of dedicated service and achievements as a law enforcement officer, as well as for his countless hours of community service. He earned his M.A. from Seton Hall University, College of Education in Administration and Supervision, where he graduated with honors, Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society. He also gained Certificates in Leadership and Management, as well as Human Resources Training and Development. He earned his B.S. in Administration of Justice. Director Ship is also a Certified Community Policing Practitioner (US Department of Justice) and a Certified Police Academy Instructor (State of New Jersey). He’s a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and Progressive Lodge #17 Free and Accepted Masons, PHA. He served as the 34th President of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives and is currently President of NOBLE New Jersey.