TRENTON, N.J. — Isa Abbassi, executive director of the New Jersey Office of Policing Strategy & Innovation, has received the 2026 Raymond Hayducka Award from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police.
The annual award is presented at the discretion of the association’s outgoing president to recognize an individual who provided advice and assistance during the president’s term.
Outgoing NJSACOP President Andrew Caggiano, who completed his term on June 30, presented the award to Abbassi.
“This award is in recognition of Isa’s unwavering support of innovation in law enforcement, as a progressive voice in the advancement of policing,” said Chief Caggiano. “Isa is leading statewide efforts in municipal policing strategy, training and policy, which is why he is the ideal professional to win this award.”
Abbassi oversees the New Jersey Office of Policing Strategy & Innovation, which is responsible for promoting professional standards, training and policy development for more than 530 law enforcement agencies and approximately 40,000 officers statewide.
Before joining the state office, Abbassi spent 26 years with the New York Police Department, rising to the rank of three-star chief of strategic initiatives and serving as the department’s chief strategy officer.
In 2023, Gov. Phil Murphy appointed Abbassi to lead reforms at the Paterson Police Department as its public safety monitor. During his tenure, the department implemented the PPD NextGen strategic plan, expanded its use of technology with a Real Time Operations Center and drone program, and reported reductions in crime.
The Raymond Hayducka Award, formerly known as the President’s Award, was renamed in 2023 in honor of former NJSACOP President and South Brunswick Police Chief Raymond Hayducka for his service to the association and the law enforcement profession.
The award is presented annually by the association’s outgoing president. More information is available at NJSACOP.org.
