Sea Isle City’s Police Received Perfect Score During Assessment

SEA ISLE CITY — In Jan., the Sea Isle City Police Department (SICPD) took a major step toward joining the top 20% of law enforcement agencies in the State of New Jersey by earning a perfect score on their on-site assessment with the Accreditation Commission from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP). In addition to being recognized in this elite group of law enforcement professionals, once the SICPD achieves this goal, the City will be eligible for a discount in insurance premiums. Additionally, the SICPD will provide increased safety through highly efficient operational procedures, have greater accountability within the agency, enjoy reduced risk and liability exposure, offer a stronger defense against civil lawsuits, provide increased community advocacy, and possess a greater ability to operate efficiently and respond to community needs.
To achieve accreditation, policies and procedures are implemented or modified to conform to 100 written standards, which have been recognized as being the best practices for law enforcement officers and their agencies. The policies address officer safety issues, equipment requirements and operational guidelines for performing various law enforcement functions.
After enrollment in the program, the first step in reaching accreditation is self-assessment. Following an on-site assessment, the assessors prepare a written report for the NJSACOP Accreditation Commission. The commission then reviews the report and holds a hearing with the agency’s Chief Law Enforcement Officer and Accreditation Manager during a monthly Chiefs of Police meeting. At that meeting, the NJSACOP makes a final decision to determine accreditation status. If accreditation status is achieved, it is good for a period of three years. Compliance with these standards must be re-established every three years after the initial accreditation.
When the SICPD’s Chief Thomas D’Intino was first appointed to his post in 2008, achieving accreditation with the State was among his top priorities. Under his guidance, the SICPD has spent the last several years working towards reaching that goal. To accelerate the process, the SICPD contracted with The Rodgers Group, a private company comprised of credentialed and experienced public safety experts, who assisted in Sea Isle’s quest toward accreditation.
Helping the resort rebound from Super Storm Sandy and having to move all police operations from the City’s damaged Public Safety Building on JFK Boulevard into Sea Isle’s former Public School on Park Road temporarily put the SICPD’s accreditation efforts on hold. However, it wasn’t long before the agency was again on the path toward accreditation.
On Jan. 13 and 14, a team of assessors from the NJSACOP performed an on-site assessment of the SICPD and its operations, which entailed an in-depth review of every aspect of the agency’s organization, management, operations, and administration, including:
–The establishment of agency goals and objectives.
–The evaluation of agency resources being used in accordance with agency goals, objectives and mission.
–Evaluation of agency policies and procedures (the agency’s written directive system).
–The evaluation of an agency’s equipment and facilities for compliance with the standards.
During the on-site accreditation assessment, the SICPD’s equipment, personnel, vehicles and facilities were evaluated to ensure they are in compliance with the State’s best practices. Afterwards, the SICPD received a perfect score and was found to be compliant with all 100 standards.
It is expected that during a Spring NJSACOP meeting, the SICPD will receive their accreditation. Following that meeting, there will be a formal presentation conducted in Sea Isle City.