Belleville Police Seek Accreditation; Public Can Comment

BELLEVILLE, NJ — The following news release comes via the Township of Belleville. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

On Monday, Feb. 27, a team of assessors from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP) will examine all aspects of the Belleville Police Department’s policies and procedures, management, operations, and support services Chief Mark Minichini recently announced.

“Verification by the team that the Belleville Police Department meets the commission’s “best practice” standards is part of a voluntary process to achieve accreditation, a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence,” Minichini said.

As part of this final onsite 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 (973) 450-3406 on Monday, Feb. 27, 2023 between the hours of 10 and 11 a.m. Email comments can be sent to ezimmerman@bellevillenj.org.

Phone comments are limited to five minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with the NJSACOP standards. Please contact Lieutenant Ed Zimmerman at (973) 450-3593 for more information.

Anyone wishing to offer written comments about the Belleville Police Department’s ability to comply with the standards for accreditation is requested to e-mail 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.

The Belleville Police Department must comply with NJSACOP LEAP standards in order to achieve accredited status. Chief Minichini 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 Director for the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police is Mr. Harry 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 inspect 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,” 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.

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