N.J. state trooper may be fastest LEO in the U.S.

By Anne Berleant 

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. — New Jersey state trooper Alan Laws cleaned house at the United States Police and Fire Championships in June, winning gold in the 400 meter dash, 400 meter hurdles, 4×400 relay and the 4×100 relay. This year, the championships included 50 events held over nine days throughout San Diego with thousands of first responders vying for top athletic honors. 

According to Fox 5, Laws, 32, may be the fastest law enforcement officer in the country.  

“I feel like me being in top physical shape has helped me in all the elements,” Laws said. “Whether it’s everyday patrolling, getting in and out of the car every day [or] having to chase somebody down.”  

Laws started competing at age 5 as a track and field athlete. And after a successful track career in high school and then at Delaware State University, he joined the New Jersey State Police in 2017. His sports career, according to Fox 5, helped him at the police academy. 

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“For starters, it takes a lot of discipline. And that’s pretty much what’s going on a lot of the time when you’re in that academy for 20 to 24 weeks,” Laws said. 

As a state trooper, Laws started on patrol then moved to a tactical unit. He now trains new recruits, but still keeps up with his track and field training. He competes professionally on the weekends several times a year. 

“A lot of people feel that once you put the badge on, you got to become robotic,” Laws told Fox 5. “But you can stick to those [law enforcement] rules and continue to be yourself, and I feel like that’s what’s made me successful as a trooper.” 

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