Make this letter better without sounding desperate: We respectfully wish to express our sincere interest and commitment to the betterment of the Longport Police Department.  As trusted members of your command staff, we firmly believe in the mission of this agency and its importance in serving the community. With this in mind, we respectfully request your consideration for promotion to the rank of Lieutenant.  We believe that we possess the necessary skills, experience, and dedication to fulfill the demands of this role, and to contribute significantly to the department’s success moving forward.  As such, we present the following proposal outlining how our advancements can greatly enhance the capability and efficiency of the department in serving the people of Longport. 
In today’s challenging times, law enforcement agencies nationwide are facing historical issues with retention and recruitment. It is evident that the profession of law enforcement has come under intense scrutiny and vilification, unlike any other profession. Our brave law enforcement officers are expected to possess comprehensive knowledge, work with inadequate staffing, and operate under an overwhelming number of new laws and mandates. 
The personal and professional lives of our officers can be devastated by a mere 3second social media video gone viral, and they bear the constant responsibility of keeping themselves updated with rapidly changing laws and mandates. A single misstep in handling an individual under the influence of alcohol or marijuana, as per the new marijuana law in New Jersey, can lead to severe criminal charges. Additionally, officers must undergo specialized training to combat active shooters and domestic terrorism and learn to anticipate ambushes in their patrol vehicles. 
As such, one of the many reasons we will identify in this proposal that we feel the need for additional Lieutenants in the department is for the recognition and promotion of the current command staff to the appropriate rank of Lieutenants. This transition would ensure a seamless and efficient transfer of leadership responsibilities, maintaining stability and effectiveness within the department. 
Furthermore, we propose having an additional full-time officer who could rotate every four tours between Squad 1 and Squad 2. This rotational system would allow the Lieutenants to focus on their administrative duties while ensuring that the streets are adequately covered. It would also provide flexibility during periods when an officer is absent for more than 30 days due to leave or injury. 
With this in mind, our department has been fortunate to have Officer Owen Kramer working the streets for almost a year.  As a college graduate, former athlete, and the only resident officer, he has been serving within our ranks and has garnered the respect and admiration of everyone in the department. Officer Kramer consistently exhibits a strong eagerness to learn and adapts quickly to the various officers he works with. He has undoubtedly become an invaluable asset to our department, and his departure for a full-time position elsewhere would be a great loss for us and would create severely disrupt our staffing levels. 
We suggest utilizing the knowledge and expertise of the two Lieutenants to mentor the agency’s newest Sergeants as they once served as their Field Training Officers (FTOs) in the early part of their careers. Our mentorship and guidance would be invaluable in their development as future leaders within the agency.  In promoting two Lieutenants, the level of administrative responsibilities would be lifted from the Sergeants to allow them to focus on their duties as patrol supervisors without requiring extensive training. 
Additionally, we foresee potential challenges within the department, such as annual family leaves, officers with lower levels of training and protection leaving the force, and possible long-term absences due to sustained injuries. With the promotion to Lieutenants and adding an additional officer, we would be able to effectively manage and navigate these situations, ensuring that the department remains operational, while providing the necessary support and resources to officers in need. 
The ever-increasing prevalence of critical incidents necessitates having the department’s current training officers in leadership positions. By promoting us to the rank of Lieutenant, we would be able to serve as training officers, ensuring that our officers are well-prepared and equipped to handle high stress situations. 
Furthermore, we have noticed a significant increase in firearms backgrounds within the department, which calls for additional supervision and training. Unfortunately, since the transition to a centralized communications center in 2015 (through Egg Harbor Township Police 
Department), many duties have been passed on to our officers, particularly the firearms background investigation unit.  The subcontracted dispatch center has proven to be barely adequate, placing additional strain on the Chief and his Command staff. It is our responsibility to ensure that our agency is well-equipped to operate effectively and handle the growing workload in this area.  As Lieutenants, we would take on the responsibility of overseeing firearms investigation process, ensuring that our officers are adequately trained and proficient in the investigative requirements to properly conduct background investigations. 
Moreover, the imminent replacement of the chief’s position, as officer and leader within the agency within the next three years requires strong leadership during the recruitment process. As Lieutenants, we would be able to provide guidance, mentorship, and leadership to the new recruits / applicants, ensuring a smooth and successful transition into the department. More importantly, we will be able to ascertain more of the Chief’s knowledge of the administrative functions through his overall mentorship.  Our scope of the administrative function was narrow; however, we were exposed to the duties and responsibilities of Acting Chief for 10 weeks in early 2023.  
One objective that has been placed on the backburner is the need for a quick reference guide for our patrol officers.  This reference guide will be designed to provide officers with a quick instruction to a specific call for service in order position them to perform their duties effectively while providing accurate guidance on scene. Additionally, an overhaul of the sergeant promotional process, increased community engagement, the implementation and maintenance of wellness programs, and the utilization of “round table” planning / drills are essential aspects that would greatly benefit from the involvement of Lieutenants. 
Other responsibilities that we propose taking on as Lieutenants include offering individual development plans for officers and sergeants, adjusting platoons to increase supervision and training, maintaining licensing requirements, conducting watchguard reviews for sergeants and officers, and overseeing the hiring process, considering the increased restraints due to licensing requirements. 
Furthermore, we would actively engage in Homeland Security training for events, ensuring that the department is prepared and capable of handling any security-related challenges. Additionally, we would work towards increasing officer availability for on-call duty and fitness workouts, fostering a culture of fitness and commitment to duty. 
Succession planning and technological implementation and maintenance are critical aspects that we are eager to undertake as Lieutenants. We would ensure a smooth transition of leadership and technological advancements, while also efficiently managing fleet maintenance and ordering, implementing and maintaining the drone program, and overseeing the jail project and LPR project. 
 	
Reviewing incident reports within the chain of command, conducting incident command training and planning, acting as a liaison with dispatch, and overseeing use of force reviews and pursuit reviews are other responsibilities we believe we can effectively handle as Lieutenants which also fall under our purview as Internal Affairs officers. 

It is important to note that having two Lieutenants is not a new concept for our department. We had two Lieutenants serving simultaneously in 2015 when the agency had a total of 12 officers (excluding the Chief of Police). During the tenure of Chief Scott Porter, who commanded the agency in prior years, had a total of 14 officers (excluding the Chief of Police) which included 2 Captains, 4 Sergeants, and 8 officers. The need for a department of our size to have at least 13 sworn officers, excluding the Chief, as well as a clear hierarchy of command has been well-established.  Maintaining a minimum of 13 officers is an absolute necessity for our agency to operate efficiently. (You will see an example of why 13 officers is the minimum in the attached schedules.) Additionally, you will see the number of additional obligations / responsibilities placed on the officers daily which could be easily transitioned to the Lieutenants. This fact is further compounded by the current dynamics of our department, wherein we have a combination of young and limited experienced officers and supervisors. These individuals often require significant leave usage due to their young families, making proper staffing even more critical. 
Given the aforementioned young and inexperienced officers and supervisors, coupled with the potential retirement of the Chief of Police within the next three years, it is imperative that we promote our current Sergeants to the rank of Lieutenants. This strategic decision will restore the command structure within our department and ensure its effectiveness both now and in the future.  As trusted members of your command staff, we have been through the training needed to effectively lead, mentor, and carry the torch after the chief has retired.  We, 
Sergeant Burgan and Sergeant Rettino, both of whom hold Master’s Degrees in Administration 
Science, were top-of-their-class graduates from the New Jersey Chief of Police Association Command and Leadership Academy. Additionally, we have undergone multiple leadership trainings and possess a vast array of experience that could be demonstrated in each of our resumes. Our collaborative efforts have consistently resulted in success for our agency, its officers, and the community we serve. 
We humbly request your thoughtful consideration in redesigning the command structure to include two Lieutenants. We believe that our collective skills, dedication, and experience make us well-suited for this role, and we are eager to contribute to the growth and success of the department.  This proposed concept only stands to strengthen the Longport Police Department, enhance our ability to serve the community effectively, and reinforce the command structure necessary for our continued success. 
In conclusion, we understand that the promotion to the rank of Lieutenant within our small police department will require us to take on overlapping roles and responsibilities. While in larger departments, the command structure can be divided into operations and administration, the unique nature of our department necessitates that we work together as a cohesive unit, sharing tasks and objectives equally. 
We fully recognize the importance of coordination and teamwork in order to move our organization forward. As Lieutenants, we will work closely together to ensure effective communication, seamless collaboration, and the successful implementation of departmental initiatives. 
We are confident that our combined skills, dedication, and commitment to the department will enable us to excel in this challenging and dynamic environment. We are eager to embrace the responsibilities that come with the rank of Lieutenant and contribute to the continued growth and success of our police department. 
Thank you for taking the time to consider this proposal and for entrusting us with the opportunity to serve in our roles within your command staff thus far. We look forward to the chance to discuss our qualifications and aspirations in more detail in the future. 
 
Sincerely,