After completing 14 weeks of training at the West Point Leadership program, Lieutenant Michael Shoulars of RUPD Newark feels better prepared to be a leader at Rutgers and within RUPD.

Mostly comprised of leaders in police departments at the level of Lieutenant and above, the course requires a recommendation from either a Captain or a Chief within an officer’s police department. There are five different regions where the West Point Leadership classes are held. About 3,000 people apply to each region, but only 20 people per region get accepted into the course.

Shoulars, a legacy Rutgers Newark Police Department employee of 18 years was more than qualified to be accepted into the course and was referred by RUPD-Newark Chief of Police Carmelo Huertas and Captain Alex Rabar.

“I feel honored that I was selected and referred by Chief Huertas and Captain Rabar,” said Shoulars. “I think it reflects well on Rutgers because it shows the community that we want to make our relationships and partnerships better and lets them know we take our jobs seriously.”

The program, developed for leaders within police departments, is broken down into four key areas: how to handle situations as a command level officer, handling the emotional side of the job, knowing the cultural side of the job, and how to work and partner with the community.

Program participants are taught 18 theories that are also taught to West Point cadets. Tests are taken every four weeks throughout the course which required the participants to use those theories in order to solve situational police cases. Tests can take up to five hours and are cumulative with each test covering more material than the previous. Shoulars first test was 12 pages typed, while his final exam was 16.

Shoulars made such an impression that he was asked to return to the program as an instructor.

“I believe in this system and class so much; I’m volunteering my time to come back. I was approached by them to return because I did so well in the program, they saw something in me and I was more than happy to participate” said Shoulars.

Before Shoulars can begin as an instructor, he will audit the course and attend different workshops to collaborate and work on ways to better the course for the future. 

“The selection of Lieutenant Shoulars as a course instructor reflects positively on him and RUPD,” said Chief Huertas. Another RUPD Lieutenant, Jamie Hendrix, is also a course instructor.

Congratulations to Lieutenant Michael Shoulars for his achievement and for helping to advance the efforts of RUPD.

Featured in the IP&O Newsletter, May 2023.