Bernards: Public Invited For Comments As Part Of Police Department Assessment

According to the Bernards Police Department:

A team of assessors from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP) is conducting a pubic call in session on August 4, 2014 between the hours of 9:00 am and 11:00 am as part of the final assessment for accreditation, Chief Brian Bobowicz announced today.

As part of this final 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 908-204-3170 on August 4, 2014 between the
hours of 9:00 am and 11:00 am. Email comments can be sent to accreditation manager
Lt. Stephen Elder selder@bernardspd.org.

Telephone comments are limited to 5 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 Bernards Township Police Department, 1 Collyer Ln. Basking Ridge,
NJ 07920. Please contact Lt. Stephen Elder at Bernards Township Police Department
(908)204-3054.

Anyone wishing to offer written comments about the Bernards Township Police
Department’s ability to comply with the standards for accreditation is requested to email:
Mr. Harry Delgado, Ed.S, hdelgado@njsacop.org Accreditation Program Manager, or
write to the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, Law Enforcement
Accreditation Commission at 751 Route 73 North, Suite 12 Marlton, N.J. 08053.
The Bernards Township Police Department must comply with 100 standards in
order to achieve accredited status.

Chief Brian Bobowicz indicated, “Accreditation results in greater accountability within the agency, 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. “The assessment team is composed of law
enforcement practitioners from similar New Jersey law enforcement agencies. 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”, Harry J Delgado 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.

For more information regarding the Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission please write the Commission at New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission at 751 Route 73 North, Suite 12 Marlton, N.J. 08053 or email hdelgado@njsacop.org.