Bloomfield Police Seek Accreditation; Public Comments Welcome

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — The Bloomfield Police Department is up for accreditation with the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP), and is inviting the community to submit comments to the assessment team, authorities announced Monday.

A team of assessors with NJSACOP are scheduled to arrive in Bloomfield on Aug. 22. The team will be examining “all aspects” of the BPD’s policies and procedures, management, operations, and support services.

According to Bloomfield police:

“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 862-335-0052 on Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Email comments can be sent to policedirector@bloomfieldnjpd.com. Telephone comments are limited to five minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with the NJSACOP standards. Please contact accreditation manager Captain Anthony Sisco at 973-680-4112 for information about the standards.”

Bloomfield police added:

“Anyone wishing to offer written comments about the Bloomfield 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.”

The NJSACOP issues local police departments accreditation through its New Jersey Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission (LEAP) program. 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.

Bloomfield Public Safety Director Samuel DeMaio said that 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.”

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

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