Chief Paul M. Cell, RET. is the Executive Director of the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA). He is a 42-year law enforcement veteran and was Chief of Police at the Montclair State University Police Department, a position he held from 2001-2022.
Chief Cell was the 2018/2019 President of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), the world’s largest association of police leaders serving more than 36,000 members in 170 countries. During his term as President of the IACP, he focused on increasing global membership
and country member expansion. Chief Cell was instrumental in working with UAE partners in establishing the first IACP satellite headquarters outside on the United States in Abu Dhabi. His work with the Taiwanese Police leadership helped to create the permanent IACP exhibit at the
Taiwan CPU World Police Museum. In addition, he worked closely with the White House Administration during the creation of the Criminal Justice reform “First Step Act” and the US Presidential “Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Justice.”
During his tenure (2013-2020) on the Board of IACP he served as oversight Chair of the IACP National Security Policy Council (NSPC), which includes the Homeland Security Committee, Terrorism Committee, and the Intelligence Coordinating Panel. Before his leadership of the
NSPC, he had oversight of the Technology Policy Council, including the Computer Crimes and Digital Evidence Committee, Communication & Technology Committee, Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Committee, and the Law Enforcement Technology Section.
In 2013, Chief Cell was sworn in as the 98th President of the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP) and Chairman of the New Jersey Police Chiefs Foundation. He served on the board of the NJSACOP six years before his role as president. Chief Cell continues as the
NJSACOP International Executive Law Enforcement Liaison. In addition, he served four consecutive terms as President of N.J. Passaic County Police Chiefs Association.
Chief Cell is a co-founder and active board member of Law Enforcement Against Drugs (LEAD), the country’s largest non-profit organization to provide proven and effective programs to deter students (K-12) from drug use, bullying and crimes. Chief Cell was a 2017 and 2018 Director of
the International Law Enforcement Federation, a United Nations recognized NGO. Upon his inauguration as President of the IACP, he was commissioned as a Special U.S. Marshal (2-year appointment). In 2015, he was inducted into the New Jersey Police Honor Legion, and in 2017,
was commissioned a Kentucky Colonel in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Chief Cell is a graduate of the 217th Session of the FBI National Academy and FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar (LEEDS.) He has also completed the Leadership in Counterterrorism (LinCT) training program and remains an active member.
Chief Cell has received his bachelor’s degree (B.A.) and master’s degree (MAS) from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Currently, he is pursuing his PhD in Criminal Justice Leadership at Liberty University. He has completed international leadership programs to include: Bramshill
International College of Policing (Hampshire, England); Royal Canadian Mounted Police (Ottawa, Canada); Garda Siochana Police College (Templemore, Ireland); and Wroxton University (Oxford, England.) He was part of a U.S. Law Enforcement Delegation to South Africa, working with the South African Police Services. He has received trainer certifications in Response to Terrorist/Suicide Bombing, Weapons of Mass Destruction, and Threat/Risk Assessment (DHS/TEEX.)
He travels extensively, conducting training and working with domestic and international law enforcement partners, government agencies, and officials.
Chief Cell is currently an Adjunct Professor in the School of Global Studies at Fairleigh Dickinson University.
He is the co-author and editor of the textbook Creating Comprehensive Sexual Assault Response Teams, now in its second edition. Chief Cell was a member of the New Jersey Governor’s Advisory Council Against Sexual Violence Working Group. He is a subject matter expert whose work focuses on developing sexual assault response and investigation protocols.
Chief Cell currently is a board member of: The University of Virginia Center for Public Safety and Justice, The International Stop the Violence Alliance, Law Enforcement Against Drugs (LEAD), Operation Blue Shield, and The NJ Global Center on Human Trafficking,
In 2016, he was named the National Law Enforcement Ambassador of Marvel Creator Stan Lee’s “Hands of Respect” Project. Chief Cell is a co-executive producer of the military movie documentary Above the Best, released in 2019. He is the recipient of numerous international awards and commendations. Chief Cell appears on television, radio talk shows, and national publications as a subject matter expert.