Accreditation Assessment Team Invites Public Comments for N. Wildwood PD

NORTH WILDWOOD – The North Wildwood Police Department will have a team of assessors from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP) May 26 to examine all aspects of the North Wildwood Police Department’s policies and procedures, management, operations, and support services, Chief Matthew T. Gallagher announced May 20.
“Verification by the team that the North Wildwood 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,” Chief Gallagher said.
According to a release, as part of the on-site assessment, agency employees and members of the community are invited to offer comments by calling (609) 846-9009 May 26, between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m.
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 North Wildwood Police Department, located at 901 Atlantic Ave., North Wildwood. The local contact for the standards copy is Lieutenant Katherine Madden, who can be reached at (609) 522-2030 ext. 1529.
Anyone wishing to offer written comments about the North Wildwood Police Department’s ability to comply with the standards for accreditation is requested to write: New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission, at 571 Route 73 North, Suite 12, Marlton, NJ. 08053, or email comments to hdelgado@njsacop.org
The North Wildwood Police Department must comply with 112 standards in order to achieve accredited status. 
Chief Gallagher indicated, “Accreditation results in greater accountability within our department, 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 Mr. Harry J. Delgado, Ed.S.
“Accreditation provides objective evidence of an agency’s commitment to excellence in leadership, resource management and service delivery,” Harry J. Delgado, Ed.S. stated.
Accreditation is valid for a three-year period during which time the agency must submit annual reports attesting to their 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.