WHEREAS, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and the Division of State Associations of Chiefs of Police (SACOP) are dedicated to advancing and promoting the highest levels of professionalism and ethics in police services worldwide; and

WHEREAS, the IACP and SACOP are further dedicated to supporting and advocating for the safety and well-being of all law enforcement officers; and

WHEREAS, Haddon Heights, New Jersey, Patrolman John Norcross and Camden County Prosecutor’s Office Investigator John McLaughlin were murdered on April 20, 1995, by Leslie Nelson (formerly Glen Nelson), who opened fire on the officers with an AK-47, and John Norcross’ brother, Richard Norcross, was also shot but survived; and

WHEREAS, Leslie Nelson was sentenced to death for the murders of Officer Norcross and Investigator McLaughlin, but instead has been serving a life sentence at the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women; and

WHEREAS, in August 2005, Leslie Nelson was honored as the “Inmate of the Month” by the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women, the “honor” including a luncheon and a certificate; and

WHEREAS, bestowing any type of honor or reward to an individual convicted of the brutal, cold-blooded murder of police officers is an outrage to society and a deep insult to every law enforcement officer in New Jersey, the United States, and the world; and

WHEREAS, the outrage and insult is immeasurably multiplied when such an honor is bestowed by an arm of the government of the state of New Jersey; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED that the members of the International Association of Chiefs of Police condemn the awarding of the “Inmate of the Month” designation to Leslie Nelson by the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women.