COURT HOUSE – A team of assessors from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP) will arrive Nov. 3, to examine all aspects of the Middle Township Police Department policies and procedures, management, operations, and support services Chief Christopher Leusner announced Oct. 2 in a release.
“Verification by the team that the Middle Township Police Department meets the commission’s ‘best practice’ standards is part of a voluntary process to achieve accreditation, a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence,” Leusner stated.
As part of this final on-site assessment, employees and members of the public are invited to provide comments to the assessment team.
They may do so by telephone or email. The public may call 609-463-1833 Nov. 3, between the hours of 10 a.m. and noon. Email comments can be sent to wadams@middletownship.com .
Telephone comments are limited to five minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with the NJSACOP standards.
A copy of the standards is available for inspection at the Middle Township Police Department, 31 Mechanic St, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210.
Contact Capt. William Adams at 609-465-8700.
Anyone wishing to offer written comments about the Middle Township Police Department’s ability to comply with the standards for accreditation is requested to email the Accreditation Program manager at hdelgado@njsacop.org or write the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission at 751 Route 73 North, Suite 12 Marlton, N.J. 08053.
The Middle Township Police Department must comply with 112 standards to achieve accredited status.
Leusner indicated, “Accreditation results in greater accountability within the agency, reduced risk and liability exposure, stronger defense against civil lawsuits, increased community advocacy, and more confidence in the agency’s ability to operate efficiently and respond to community needs.”
The accreditation program manager for the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police is Harry J Delgado, Ed.S.
“The assessment team is composed of law enforcement practitioners from similar New Jersey law enforcement agencies. The assessors will review written materials, interview agency members, and visit offices and other places where compliance with the standards can be observed.Once the Commission’s assessors complete their review of the agency, they will report to the full Commission, which will then decide if the agency is to be granted accredited status,” Delgado stated.
Accreditation is valid for a three-year period during which the agency must submit annual reports attesting to its continued compliance with those standards under which it was initially accredited.
The New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police through its New Jersey Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission is the legitimate authority and accreditation agency in the state of New Jersey.
For information regarding the Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission write to: New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission at 751 Route 73 North, Suite 12 Marlton, N.J. 08053 or email hdelgado@njsacop.org
