NJ Chiefs of Police Accreditation Assessment Team Invites Public Comment

CAPE MAY – A team of assessors from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP) will arrive June 3 to examine all aspects of the Cape May Police Department’s policies and procedures, management, operations, and support services, Chief Anthony Marino announced.
“The team from the state will be reviewing all aspects of the department’s standards and policies in order to assess that Cape May Police Department is operating at a high level of law enforcement professionalism” according to Marino. “This is part of being able to maintain status as an accredited police department.”
As part of the on-site assessment, employees and members of the general public are invited to provide comments to the assessment team. They may do so by telephone or email. The public may call (609) 884-9533 June 4, between the hours of 9 a.m. – 11 p.m. Email comments can be sent to Marino at amarino@capemaycity.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 Cape May Police Department. Please contact Lt. John Bobik at (609) 884-9510.
Anyone wishing to offer written comments about the Cape May Police Department’s ability to comply with the standards for accreditation is requested to email the Accreditation Program Director 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.
Cape May Police Department must comply with 105 standards in order to maintain accredited status.
“In keeping our accredited status, it creates reduced risk and liability exposure, stronger defense against civil lawsuits, and more confidence in the agency’s ability to operate efficiently and respond to community needs,” stated Marino. “It also allows the community to have more confidence in the professional behavior of all officers throughout our ranks by holding us accountable to standards of behavior and accountability.”
The Accreditation Program Director 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,” stated Delgado. “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.
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.