Undersheriff William E. Highley Jr.
Undersheriff Highley began his law enforcement career in 1988 with the Glassboro Police Department and retired as a Captain in 2013 after a very successful and rewarding career.
In 1992 he was assigned to the Detective Division and placed on loan to the Gloucester County Prosecutors Office, Narcotics Strike Force. Between 1992 and 1996 Undersheriff Highley initiated and participated in multifaceted narcotics investigations.
In 1998 Undersheriff Highley returned to the Patrol Division where he was promoted to Corporal in 1998 and Sergeant in 2001.
In 2004 he was promoted to Lieutenant and became the Training Coordinator and was responsible for the supervision of the Firearms Unit, School Resource Officers, acted as the Glassboro Municipal Court, Liaison Officer and conducted Internal Affairs Investigations.
Undersheriff Highley became a certified Instructor to develop and instruct force on force scenarios and assisted with the development of the Glassboro Police Departments force on force training.
In 2010 Undersheriff Highley was promoted to Captain and assumed responsibility for developing and maintaining a budget of over five million dollars. Other assignments included supervising the Internal Affairs Unit, Desk Personnel, Records Division, Staffing and Personnel Selection.
Undersheriff Highley remained proactive during his career pursuing many training and educational opportunities. Undersheriff Highley received a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration from Fairleigh Dickinson University and is a graduate of NJSACOP West Point Command & Leadership Program and the New Jersey Certified Public Manager Program. He also holds certifications as a Firearms Instructor, RPO Instructor and NJSORA Armed Security.
In 2015 Undersheriff Highley was hired by the Vineland City Police Department as a NJSLEO II where he conducted applicant background investigations and provided guidance to the Internal Affairs Unit.
In 2018 Undersheriff Highley was hired by KDNFS Security and assigned as a School Security Specialist for the Woodstown Pilesgrove School District and Salem County Institute of Technology.
In 2021 Undersheriff Highley returned to the Vineland Police Department as a NJSLEO II and was assigned to the Support Services Division and Crime Scene Unit for the purpose of preserving audio transmissions and body worn camera videos for Municipal and County Prosecutors Offices. OPRA requests from attorneys, outside entities and the general public were also processed through these units.
Undersheriff Highley currently supervises the Internal Affairs Unit, Community Resource Unit and is responsible for many administrative functions within the Sheriff’s Office.
Undersheriff Highley has been recognized by the Gloucester County Awards Committee on several occasions throughout his career:
Distinguished Service - Narcotics Enforcement 1992 & 1994
Exceptional Duty -Training Development - 2006
Unit Citation - Firearms Unit - 2006