Hazlet Township Police Seek Re-Accreditation From from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police

HAZLET, NJ - A team of assessors from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP) will arrive on Tuesday, January 3, 2017, to examine all aspects of the Hazlet Township Police Department’s policies and procedures, management, operations, and support services Hazlet Chief of Police Philip Meehan announced Tuesday.

“Verification by the team that the Hazlet Township Police Department meets the Commission’s ‘best practice’ standards is part of a voluntary process to maintain accredited status, a highly-prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence," Chief Meehan said. “The Hazlet Township Police Department has been accredited since 2010 and must submit to periodic verification to maintain its accredited status."

If members of the public would like to provide comments to the assessment team, they may do so by telephone. The public may call 732-264-8066 on Wednesday, January 4, 2017, between the hours of 9:00 am to 11:00 am. Email comments can be sent to the Hazlet Township Police Department at smura@hazlettwp.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 standard’s manual is available on the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police website at www.njsacop.org/content.asp?pl=17&contentid=39. For more information, please contact Lieutenant Scott Mura of the Hazlet Township Police Department at 732-264-0763, extension 122.

Anyone wishing to submit written comments about the Hazlet Township Police Department’s ability to comply with the standards for accreditation can send them by email to Harry J Delgado, Ed.S. Accreditation Program Manager, at hdelgado@njsacop.org, by phone 856-334-8943, or write to the New Jersey State Association of Chief’s of Police, Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission at 751 Route 73 North West, Suite 12, Marlton, N.J. 08053.

The Hazlet Township Police Department must comply with 105 standards in order to maintain its accredited status. Chief Meehan 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, Ed.S, “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 back to the full Commission, which will then decide if the agency is to be granted continued accredited status”, Harry J Delgado, Ed.S, 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.

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 West, Suite 12, Marlton, N.J. 08053.