Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Investigators Bruce DeShields has been named the 2021 President of the State Chief of County Investigators/Detectives Association of New Jersey.
The association includes members of New Jersey’s 21 county prosecutor’s offices, the Drug Enforcement Administration, New Jersey State Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Jersey State Attorney General’s Office.
“I was asked if I would serve as the president of the association and I gladly accepted the opportunity," Chief DeShields said. "At this time there is a large amount of legislation on deck and even more planning for law enforcement statewide, so I feel it is impactful for me to serve. There are important issues that pertain to the counties across the state and this organization is invaluable to foster communication between law enforcement partners. Through this association, this information is able to be distributed to all law enforcement partners.”
ACPO Chief of Atlantic County Investigators Bruce K. DeShields has served with the ACPO for over 30 years. Chief DeShields is a veteran law enforcement officer with over 37 years of law enforcement experience when he started his law enforcement career in 1982.
“Chief DeShields is a consummate law enforcement professional with over 39 years of experience in multiple agencies," Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner said. "He has always distinguished himself as a leader and an effective crime fighter. He cares deeply about the community he serves and has earned the respect from law enforcement officers throughout the country as a seasoned homicide detective, SWAT team commander and crisis negotiator."
Chief DeShields also served as the Commander of the ACPO Special Investigations Unit, which includes the ACPO Guns, Gangs and Narcotics Unit, Intelligence Unit and the Homeland Security and Crisis Negotiations Team.
Chief DeShields has served in Liaison roles to the NJ Attorney General’s Office NARCAN Program, the NJ Attorney General’s Prescription Fraud Commanders Investigation Program, the State Narcotics Commanders Association, South Jersey Narcotics Association and the United States Marshall’s Service Fugitive Task Force.
Prior to his service with the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, Chief DeShields served as a Patrol Officer with the Riverside Township Police Department, the State of New Jersey, Human Services Police Department and the Richard Stockton Police Department.
Chief DeShields received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Phoenix.
Chief DeShields received a Medal of Valor from the New Jersey State Chiefs of Police Association and he was nominated by the National Association of Police Organizations for the Top Cops Award in 2011.