Tom Rizzo — Instructor Profile

About Tom Rizzo

Tom Rizzo is a retired 25-year law enforcement veteran who began his career in 2001 as a Patrolman with the Middlesex Borough Police Department (NJ). In 2004, he joined the Howell Township Police Department (NJ), where he ultimately served as the Investigations Division Commander at the rank of Captain.

During his tenure, Tom formulated Howell Township Police Department’s first Criminal Suppression Unit and participated in numerous search warrant executions, intra- and inter-agency collaborations, and operations targeting violent offenders and narcotics distributors.

Tom earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Central Florida and a Master of Arts in Human Resource Training & Development from Seton Hall University. He graduated from the West Point Command & Leadership Academy in 2009 and later returned as an instructor in Group Leadership Theories. Throughout his career, he served as both a Police Academy and departmental instructor.

Since 2012, Tom has taught as an Adjunct Professor for New Jersey City University’s Schools of Management, Criminal Justice, and Professional Security Studies. He has also instructed for Rutgers University’s School of Public Affairs & Administration and Fairleigh Dickinson University.

In 2019, Tom founded Walk the Talk Consultants, where he developed and delivers nationally recognized leadership, resiliency, wellness, and career fulfillment programs, including The Ivory Tower and OPERATION L.E.A.D. His courses have been presented in more than 45 states.

Tom is also the author of COPIKAZE, released in 2021. The book reached #1 on Amazon’s Best-Seller list and has been incorporated into the curriculum of several educational institutions. He continues to consult with private organizations and corporations on leadership development and organizational culture.

In 2023, Tom became a co-host of the television show On Patrol: Live, and in 2025 he was inducted into the National Law Enforcement Officer Hall of Fame.

Above all professional accomplishments, Tom considers his greatest achievement to be being a father to his four children.