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(l.) Fishman, Kwon, Chong, Kugler
Several years ago, businessman David Chong established the Asian-American Law Enforcement Foundation, at the time a small, grassroots organization, to work closely with law enforcement and other agencies at the local, state and federal levels in New Jersey.
Since then, exchange programs created by The United States Asian American Law Enforcement Foundation have taken American officials overseas — to Korea, China, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia — to help better understand Asian cultures. The teams have included New Jersey State Police, the NYPD, and even local officials such as Saddle Brook Police Chief Robert Kugler, along with attaches of the FBI and DEA in those countries.
This week, Kugler is headed to Embassy of the Peoples Republic of China to bid farewell to one of the delegates there whose term has expired.
At the same time, Chong’s group has hosted law enforcement from the Far East here. A group of delegates from China recently toured the State Police’s ROIC, as well as the NJSP Museum.
“It’s all about networking and getting to better understand our respective law enforcement environments,” Kugler told CLIFFVIEW PILOT. “As you may know, the Asian American community is ever growing here in Northern NJ and NYC and our goal is to better enhance our relationship with them.
“Their community really appreciates how we are getting to know them better. We also network and have a great working relationship with the embassies of the various countries.”
Thursday’s discussion boasted an impressive roster, including:
• FBI Special Agent-in-Charge Michael Ward;
• DEA Special Agent-in-Charge Brian Crowell;
• ATF Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Horace;
• Marshals Service Special Agent in Charge Donald I. Rackley:
• Secret Service Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge James Mottola;
• Immigration and Customs Enforcement Special Agent-in-Charge Peter Edge;
• IRS Special Agent-in-Charge Victor Lessoff;
• New Jersey First Assistant Attorney General Philip Kwon;
• State Office of Homeland Security & Preparedness Director Charles McKenna;
• State Police Acting Major Gerald Lewis;
• Bergen County Sheriff Michael Saudino,
• Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department Inspector Nicholas Tagarelli.
Also attending were the district directors of the U.S. Department of Labor, Joseph Petrecca, and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Judy Keenan.
Chong said his group believes in “the importance of educating our communities about the roles and responsibilities of all these agencies.
“We recognize that cooperation is not always given easily, as many individuals come from countries where police and government agencies garnered fear and distrust and where the police are considered agents of repression and worse,” he said.
However, Chong said, he hopes the panel discussions and other initiatives help bridge the gap between law enforcement and his community, while also helping to open job opportunities for Asian Americans.
“[T]here is a significant generation gap between some of our parents and their children and their relationships with law enforcement and government,” Chong said. “Good citizenship is a requirement necessary to sustain a democracy, and we intend to contribute to this goal in every way possible.”
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