Employment History

Director, Cape May County Public Safety Training Center
Gary’s present occupation is the Director of the Cape May County Public Safety Training Center. He was appointed to this position August 13, 1998. Director Schaffer is responsible for the budget, management, and training operations of all public safety personnel (police, fire, EMS, and 9-1-1 dispatchers) at the Public Safety Training Center. He is directly responsible for the day to day operations of both basic and in-service police training.

Director Schaffer is a member of the New Jersey Police Training Commission, American Society of Law Enforcement Trainers, International Association of Chiefs of Police, and International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association. He is currently the President of the New Jersey Police Academy Director’s Association.

Director Schaffer has held his Police Instructor Certification since April 1977, his Police Firearms Instructor Certification since June 1980, his Firearms Range Master Certification since December 1987, his Police Instructor Trainer Certification since December 1987, and his Submachine Gun and Assault Weapons Instructor Certification since August 1989.

Detective Lieutenant, Ocean City Police Department
Gary began his career with the Ocean City Police Department on October 15, 1973. He was a patrol officer from October 1973 through June 1974, where his duties were general patrol functions. Gary was then assigned to the Cape May County Narcotic Strike Force from June 1974 until November 1975. During this time his assignment was to infiltrate the drug community and purchase illegal drugs as an undercover investigator. Gary was again a patrol officer from November 1975 through January 1976, at which time he became a special squad officer. Gary remained in this position until February 1977. He was responsible for all narcotic investigations, as well as any special investigations assigned by the Chief of Police. Gary was a Detective from March 1977 through March 1989, where his primary responsibility was criminal investigations, specifically major crimes and narcotic investigations. In April 1989, he was promoted to Detective Sergeant. In this position he was a shift supervisor, responsible for the coordination of all criminal investigations and all undercover drug investigations. In June 1992, Gary was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. He left the Detective Bureau and was the Watch Commander responsible for all police operations during the tour of duty. In September 1996, Gary returned to the Detective Bureau as Detective Lieutenant. He was responsible for all criminal investigations conducted, all evidence handling, juvenile crisis and diversion programs, and internal affairs investigations. As media spokesperson for the police department, he was responsible for all news releases and public relations. Gary also oversaw Mercantile and Licensing, which issued approximately 9800 permits and licenses, as well as a $1,000,000.00 cash flow.

During his career at the Ocean City Police Department Gary was a police academy instructor, defensive tactics instructor, SWAT Team member, SWAT Team commander, firearms instructor, range master, and a member of the Accident Review Board. On December 31, 1998, Gary retired from the Ocean City Police Department to focus on his current position at the Cape May County Public Safety Training Center.

Paid for by
The Schaffer Family