Lower Police in Accreditation Process

ERMA — Lower Township Police Chief Edward Donohue will welcome a team of assessors from the New Jersey Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission to the department Sunday Oct. 5 for a three-day assessment of all functional areas of the police department.
The assessment team, which is made up of current and former law enforcement executives, is sponsored by the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police in alliance with the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA).
The CALEA accreditation program has identified 112 standards that must be met in order for police departments to receive state accreditation including the updating of all department rules and regulations, general orders and special orders.
Some of the standards to be reviewed include:
• Code of Conduct and Officer Appearance Policy
• Use of Force Policy
• Pursuit Policy
• Field Training Program for New Officers
• Drug Testing Policy
• A System for Collection and Storage of Evidence and Property
• Internal Affairs Policy and Procedures
• Prisoner Transport and Holding Facilities Policy
• Annual Physical Fitness and Wellness Program Policy
• Annual Firearms Qualification Policy
• Communications Center / 911 Operations Policy
• School Emergency Response Policy
• Domestic Violence Response Policy
• Emergency Vehicle Operations Response Policy
The numerous standards that had to be met also address life, health and safety issues, legal issues, the department’s response to critical incidents and conditions that reduce major risk and liability exposures.
In addition, once the police department receives full accreditation status the township will be granted a decrease in its joint liability insurance fund expenditures.
The assessment team will be lead by Chief Glenn Miller, of the Stockton College of New Jersey Campus Police Department and retired New Jersey State Police Lieutenant Colonel Al Kernagis. Miller is also a retired Major with the New Jersey State Police and a former Troop Commander of Troop “A”.
The assessment team will examine all aspects of department’s written directive system, policy and procedures, Administrative Management Section, Operations Division, and Support Services. The assessment team will also inspect the department’s vehicles and safety equipment as well as complete ride alongs with patrol officers while on duty.
The assessment team must verify that the department has met all the commission’s state-of- the-art standards before the department can claim the highly prized title of state accreditation.
Lower Township Police Department will only be the 30th police department in the state to receive accreditation status.
In accordance with the accreditation program the police department invites all members of the community to a public information session regarding the accreditation process. The session will be held on Sunday Oct. 5 at 7:00p.m at the Lower Township Municipal Hall, 2600 Bayshore Road.
The department encourages the public to attend this meeting with any questions they may have regarding the accreditation program or any other pertinent police issues.
Those who can not speak at the public session but would like to provide comment directly to the assessors may do so by calling 609-886-1619 ext 118 on Monday Oct. 6 between the hours of 9:00 A.M. and 11:00 A.M.
Comments at the public information session and during telephone calls are limited to five minutes and in general must address the police department’s ability to comply with the accreditation standards.
“The accreditation process has helped the police department to establish and maintain policies and procedures that represent current professional law enforcement practices, increase the effectiveness, efficiency and delivery of law enforcement services to the community, and establish standards that address and reduce liability for the police department and its members.”
He also praised his officers, dispatchers, and secretaries for their assistance and patience during the lengthy accreditation process.
Donohue had special thanks for the Departments Accreditation Manager, Lt. Christopher Winter who was responsible for ensuring that all aspects of the accreditation process were met over the course of the last two years.
“Lt. Christopher Winter was instrumental in updating and preparing all 112 plus policies and procedures in preparation for the upcoming on-site assessment,” said. Donohue. “Not an easy task.