Hillsborough Police Earns Fifth State Reaccreditation Certificate

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — The Hillsborough Police Department was recognized for earning its fifth state reaccreditation.

The milestone was presented by Harry Delgado, president of the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, to Chief Michael McMahon and the department at the Tuesday Township Committee meeting.

The accreditation program is administered through the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police and the New Jersey Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission.

Delgado said the program is intended to show that an agency meets state and national standards tied to professionalism, transparency and preparedness.

During the presentation, Delgado described how uncommon the achievement is among eligible law enforcement agencies in New Jersey.

"Now, in the case of the Hillsboro Township Police Department, this is their fifth. That means that they actually deserve it. So they fall into less than 4 percent of all the agencies in the state of New Jersey," said Delgado. "That is truly remarkable."

Delgado said accreditation is "more than a professional distinction" and called it "a strategic investment in organizational excellence."

He said the process helps agencies operate at high professional standards while building public trust, reducing risk and supporting long-term success. He also said the full process takes three years.

Delgado said the fifth reaccreditation reflects McMahon’s commitment to state and national standards and the department’s continued expectations for "quality, professional and ethical policing."

McMahon thanked the state chiefs association for recognizing the department and said the designation matters locally.

"I think it's very important for our residents to know that we are a professional police department and we strive to exceed and follow the best practices in law enforcement," McMahon said.

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