Chief Robert A. Verry (Ret.)
Robert ("Bob") started his career with the Middlesex County College Police Department in 1988, joining the South Bound Brook Police Department in 1989. He served as P.B.A. President before being promoted to Sergeant in 1995, Lieutenant in 1996, Chief in 2000, and retiring in March 2008. Presently, he serves as a full-time Associate Professor of Criminal Justice, Paralegal Studies, and Political & Governmental Attairs at Centenary_ University. Additionally, Bob is a licensed private detective, a certified paralegal, and serves as a representative/consultant before the Public Employment Relations Commission. He published Mechanics of a Police Internal Affairs Investigation (ISBN- 13: 978-1932777970).
Since 2007, Bob has actively provided law enforcement consulting services throughout New Jersey and, in that capacity, served as a Hearing Officer for sworn and unsworn personnel, reviewed the police department's internal affairs policy and procedures, reviewed defense expert reports, and served as an internal affairs investigator. Bob qualified and testified as an expert in Superior Court for Internal Affairs and Supervisory Investigations Policies and Procedures.
Bob holds an Associate degree in Liberal Arts, a bachelor's degree in Sociology/Criminal Justice, a Master's degree in Leadership and Public Administration (MLPA), and a dual MBA degree. He is currently working toward his Ed.D. in Educational Leadership.
Additionally, he is a graduate Paralegal from Fairleigh Dickenson University, a Certified Public Manager, a graduate of West Point Command & Leadership, a Public Sector Labor Relations Certificate Program, and a Police Law Enforcement Executive.
Bob is a founding member of the New Jersey Internal Affairs Association and has served as President since the 2004 commencement. Bob is/ was, directly and indirectly, involved in well over 1,000 police misconduct investigations and presented over 100 seminars across New Jersey related to Internal Affairs investigations, including, but not limited to, an introductory course that reviews the Attorney General Internal Affairs Policy and Procedure; Employee Discipline; Understanding Past Practice; and Controlling Absenteeism.
Education: Centenary University Ed.D (Anticipated 2024) Centenary University M.L.P.A. & M.B.A. Sociology / Criminal Justice B.A
Thomas Shea, D.Sc., CPP
Tom is a licensed private detective and certified protection professional (CPP) through ASIS, considered the gold security and investigative certifications standard. A thorough, meticulous, and discreet investigator for many years, Tom has handled hundreds of sensitive workplace investigation cases, including inter-employee conflict, sexual harassment, employee misconduct, and corruption. Tom has also provided personnel-related testimony for years. Until recently, Tom served as the founder and Program Director of the Law Enforcement Executive Leadership Program at Seton Hall University and a Director of Security for a large school district in Northern NJ. Tom is also a security consultant, providing expert analysis for subsequent litigation. Additionally, Tom has authored police department reform reports and numerous policing and security publications. His nationally published book, "115 Proven Ways to Dramatically Improve Your Agency, Your Officers, and Your Leadership," focuses on innovative initiatives to improve a police department internally and externally. Lastly, Tom has created innovative school security policies, regulations, and training protocols to prepare better school staff to be more resilient from the unfortunate realities of active shooter events. Tom earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Administration of Justice from Rutgers University in 1997 and was hired soon after by the Long Branch, N.J. Police Department. He was assigned to various units, and during this period, he earned his Master of Public Administration degree from Seton Hall University, graduating in 2001. Tom completed his doctoral degree from New Jersey City University, graduating in 2015. His dissertation topic focused on executive leadership. During his police career, Tom has been the recipient of numerous commendations. Lastly, Tom is a United States Marine Corps veteran of Operation Desert Shield/ Storm.
DAVID E. GRAY, ESQ.
As the managing partner of Gray Law Group, LLC, I supervise the Corporate practice as well as Real Estate, Litigation and Family Law. I graduated with honors from Seton Hall Law School. My undergraduate degree is in Organizational Management, Rutgers School of Business. I am admitted to practice law in New Jersey and New York. I was a judicial law clerk for the Honorable N. Peter Conforti, J.S.C. before going into private practice.
I have taught and lectured on various areas of the law at Centenary University, St. Peter’s University & Sussex County Community College. I testified before the New Jersey Senate Judiciary Committee regarding pending legislation. I appeared on CNN, Fox News, News12 New Jersey, Fox 5-Philadelphia, Channel 9 and Channel 11 news regarding various cases and have been quoted in the New York Times, Washington Post, Star Ledger, Daily Record, New Jersey Herald, ROI-New Jersey and various local papers regarding cases that I have successfully litigated.
