Gary Mankowitz
Gary Mankowitz
Gary’s mission is unwavering: to ensure that no first responder, workplace professional, or their families ever face personal or professional struggles alone—and to build a culture where seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Gary Mankowitz is a dedicated public safety professional and nationally respected advocate for first responder wellness. With decades of frontline and leadership experience across multiple areas of public safety and the private sector, Gary founded Core Support Peer Solutions to address one of the most urgent needs in today’s workforce—confidential, culturally competent peer support.
Know More About Gary
Founder & President – Core Support Peer Solutions
Gary Mankowitz is a dedicated public safety professional and nationally respected advocate for first responder wellness. With decades of frontline and leadership experience across multiple areas of public safety and the private sector, Gary founded Core Support Peer Solutions to address one of the most urgent needs in today’s workforce—confidential, culturally competent peer support.
His career began as a Police Explorer in New Jersey and quickly expanded into hands-on service as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), volunteer firefighter, fire inspector, and Police/Fire/EMS 9-1-1 communications operator. This rare breadth of experience provided Gary with a comprehensive understanding of the operational pressures and emotional demands faced by public safety professionals at every level.
Gary later served as a campus police officer with the Brookdale College Police Department for three years, where he developed a deep understanding of the unique mental health challenges impacting college police and public safety officers. After transferring to a municipal police department, he further expanded his leadership role within educational communities as a DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) Coordinator and as his department’s LEAD (Law Enforcement Against Drugs) Program Coordinator. Through this work, he became acutely aware of the stressors affecting not only officers, but also faculty, administrators, students, and families.
A certified FBI Crisis Negotiator and past member of the NYPD Hostage Negotiator Association, Gary brings advanced expertise in crisis intervention, high-pressure communication, and conflict resolution. He was certified in 2000 and served on the New Jersey Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Team. Gary was also a World Trade Center (WTC) 9/11 First Responder and has been affiliated with the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF). Throughout his career, he has held leadership positions within FOP Lodge 79, Livingston PBA #263, and the Essex County Crime Prevention Officers Association.
Beyond public safety, Gary also understands the demands of executive leadership in the corporate sector. As Chief Operating Officer for Creative Safety Products, he oversaw safety education programs operating across 13 states. This experience broadened his perspective on workplace stress, organizational culture, and employee well-being—allowing him to bridge the gap between first responder agencies and private-sector organizations.
Through Core Support Peer Solutions, Gary integrates operational experience, crisis management expertise, executive leadership, and a deep understanding of the human side of service. The programs are designed to reduce stigma, strengthen peer networks, and equip professionals with practical tools to support one another through daily stressors, critical incidents, and life transitions.
Gary’s mission is unwavering: to ensure that no first responder, workplace professional, or their families ever face personal or professional struggles alone—and to build a culture where seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Professional Overview
Gary Mankowitz is a seasoned leader in public safety, mental health advocacy, and organizational resilience, bringing more than four decades of law enforcement and consulting experience to the communities and organizations he serves. As President of Core Support Peer Solutions, he specializes in peer to peer mental health programs designed for first responders and private sector employees. Through partnerships with leading mental health platforms, he helps organizations implement accessible, scalable wellness solutions that strengthen workforce resilience while leveraging available tax advantages. As CEO of Skyline Safety Consultants, Gary provides expert guidance in security threat assessments, organizational functionality, mediation, conflict resolution, leadership development, and community policing strategies. His speaking engagements cover critical topics including cyberbullying, crime prevention, workplace violence, and professional networking. A respected figure in New Jersey’s public safety community, Gary has served as President of the Essex County Crime Prevention Officers Association since 2010. His earlier career includes 25 years with the Livingston Police Department, where he coordinated the Community Policing & Crime Prevention Unit, as well as prior roles in college policing, communications, and loss prevention. Gary holds a Master of Arts in Justice Administration and Public Service and a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice—both earned with highest honors—from Saint Elizabeth University. His extensive specialized training spans crisis intervention, terrorism response, leadership, school safety, and community policing.
Peer Support & Community Engagement
Peer-to-Peer Counseling:
Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Response Team Sep 2000. For more than 25 years, Gary has supported first responders through structured peer counseling, crisis intervention, and emotional support during and after critical incidents.
Community Volunteer :
Table of Hope Sep 2016 -2018 Gary volunteers serving meals to individuals and families in need and assists with cleanup and community support efforts.
Mentorship :
College of Saint Elizabeth Feb 2017 – Present Gary mentors students exploring careers in criminal justice and public service. He provides resume guidance, career exploration support, and networking strategies to help students gain clarity and confidence in their professional paths.
Educational Advisory Roles :
• Hunterdon County Vocational School District Polytech — Committee Member Nov 2023 – Present Facilitates dialogue between law enforcement professionals and students preparing for careers in public safety.
• Morris County School of Technology — Law & Public Safety Advisory Council Nov 2024 – Present Collaborates with educators, first responders, and judicial professionals to strengthen curriculum and ensure students receive relevant, real world guidance.
Licenses & Certifications :
Human Trafficking & Victim Advocacy :
• Human Trafficking 101 — U.S. Institute Against Human Trafficking
• Human Trafficking: Law Enforcement Certification — USIAHT
• Unlock Freedom: It Stops With Me — USIAHT
• Human Trafficking: Educator Certification — USIAHT
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) :
• IS 1152: Blue Campaign First Responder Training
• Protecting Critical Infrastructure Against Insider Threats
Homeland Security & Counterterrorism :
• NSI (SAR Training) Private Sector Security — U.S. Department of Homeland Security
• P.A.T.R.I.O.T. Training System — DHS / John H. Stamler Police Academy
• Suicide Bombing Incidents: Instructor / Train the Trainer — New Mexico Tech
• Homemade Explosives: Awareness, Recognition & Response — New Mexico Tech
• Incident Response to Terrorist Bombings — New Mexico Tech
Crisis Intervention & Mental Health :
• CISM: Individual Crisis Intervention & Peer Support — UMBC
• CISM: Advanced Group Crisis Intervention — UMBC
• CISM: Basic — UMBC
School Safety & Resource Officer Training :
• Basic School Resource Officer Course — NJ Division of Criminal Justice
• Advanced School Resource Officer Course — NCTC & School Safety Advocacy Council
• School Violence Warning Signs — FBI
• School Resource Officer Enrichment Training — Fairleigh Dickinson University
Law Enforcement Instruction & Specialized Training :
• Police Academy Instructor — NJ Division of Criminal Justice
• Certified Law Enforcement Security Assessment Specialist — ACPI
• Field Training Officer — NJ Division of Criminal Justice
• Crash Investigation I — Northwestern University
• Community Policing Ten Module Course — NJRCPI
• Crime Prevention & Community Policing Certification — John H. Stamler Police Academy
• HIDTA Advanced Narcotics Training — NY/NJ HIDTA
Leadership, Management & Professional Development :
• Supervisory Management Certificate — Warren County Community College
• Customer Service Strategy — LinkedIn Learning
• Multipliers Leadership Summary — LinkedIn Learning
Safety, Security & Emergency Response:
• SORA Security Officer Certification — NJ State Police
• American Heart Association BLS (CPR/AED) — Essex County College Police Academy
• CarFit Technician & Event Coordinator — AAA New Jersey
Additional Specialized Credentials:
• Cyber Security Investigation — Saint Elizabeth University
• Grant Writing Certificate — County College of Morris
• Crisis Negotiations — John H. Stamler Police Academy
• Crisis Negotiations — FBI
• Youth Leadership Safety Program — New Jersey State Police