The NJ Police Chief Magazine Volume 23, Number 9 | Page 24

The New Jersey Police Chief Magazine | November 2017 NJSACOP LEAP Commission Holds Fall Hearing and Awards Accreditation Harry J. Delgado, Ed.S., Accreditation Program Manager Accreditation is completely voluntary, but those who seek it are held to the absolute highest standards of law enforcement excellence. On October 12 th thirteen law enforcement agencies were invited to appear in front of the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police Accreditation Commission to state their case in pursuit of accreditation after months of undergoing the rigorous process. Some agencies have invested years in pursuit of excellence by following accepted state and national best practices in law enforcement. As a way to introduce themselves, agency Chiefs and their representatives were asked to share the history of their agency, especially anything unusual or unique, comments about their service with the department and that of their accreditation manager, future issues confronting the agency, any unusual service or program that the Chief is particularly proud of relating to their department. Finally, they were asked to comment about their experience with the NJSACOP Law Enforcement Accreditation Program. Following the introductions the NJSACOP Accreditation Commission reviewed the reports and testimony of these thirteen law enforcement agencies seeking either accreditation or reaccreditation in the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police Law Enforcement Accreditation Program (NJSACOP LEAP). The standards used to determine whether or not a police agency may become accredited reflect the current thinking and experience of law enforcement researchers and experts. The following agencies received reaccreditation: the Denville Police Department, the West Windsor Police Department was awarded their second reaccreditation, the Medford Police Department, the Monroe Police Department (Williamstown), the Harvey Cedars Police Department, the Springfield Township Police Department, the Sayreville Police Department, the Cresskill Police Department, the Lower Township Police Department, the Marlboro Police Department, and the Park Ridge Police Department. The Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office and the Union County Police Department received their initial accreditation. Law enforcement associations, leading educational and training institutions, government agencies, and insurance agencies have all acknowledged that any police agency who receives an accreditation certification is holding itself and its officers to the absolute highest standards in the industry. To date close to one hundred and ninety agencies have received accredited status through NJSACOP LEAP. For more information about our program I may be reached at [email protected]. 23