Community involvement was a family value when she was growing up, Captain Heather Glogolich of the New Jersey Institute of Technology Police Department (NJITPD) says. But she didn’t know what direction that value would lead her until she took a criminal justice class in high school.

“I was able to go on a ride-along with the Denville Police Department through that class. As soon as I got into the patrol car, I knew law enforcement was going to be my passion. The dynamic calls and having the opportunity to help so many people drew me in,” she says.

Glogolich has now served more than 20 years in law enforcement, and she says her most rewarding assignment is her current one. She was hired by the NJITPD in September 2023. “As captain of the NJITPD, I have been given the unique opportunity to train our team on a higher level, still remain active in patrol tactics, enhance the positive culture within the agency, and help add even more professionalism to our department.”

Throughout her career, Glogolich has focused on training other officers. She holds a doctorate in education, and she says her greatest achievement in law enforcement has been “bringing together women through nationwide training and through New Jersey Women in Law Enforcement .”

Glogolich believes law enforcement agencies are not doing enough to support their officers, especially their female officers. “It still amazes me that retention of qualified officers is not the primary focus of law enforcement agencies,” she says. “I love to teach through all the experiences that I have had. Women officers shouldn’t have to feel that they have to fit a certain mold to be a great cop. They need to know that their individual strengths and expertise will help this profession as a whole.”

Note: Heather Glogolich, then a lieutenant with the Morris Township (New Jersey) Police Department was featured in POLICE’s 2022 Innovative Law Enforcement Leaders .