Manchester Police Inviting Public Comment During Assessment

MANCHESTER, NJ -- The Manchester Township Police Department is inviting public comment as part of the department’s final on-site assessment for renewal of its accreditation by the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, the department announced.

The team of assessors from NJSACOP is scheduled to arrive on Sunday, Feb. 7 to examine all aspects of the department’s policies and procedures, management, operations and support services, Police Chief Lisa D. Parker said.

“Verification by the team that the Manchester Township Police Department meets the Commission’s “best practice” standards is part of a voluntary process to achieve accredited status, a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence,” she said.

As part of the 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 (732) 849-8359 on Monday, Feb. 8, between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. E-mail comments can be sent to tmalland@manchestertwp.com.

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 Manchester Township Police Department, 1 Colonial Drive, Manchester, NJ. Please contact Capt. Todd Malland at 732-657-2009 ext. 4103.

Anyone wishing to offer written comments about the Manchester Township Police Department’s ability to comply with the standards for accreditation is requested to email the Accredition Program manager, Harry J. Delgado, at hdelgado@njsacop.org, or to write New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission, 751 Route 73 North, Suite 12, Marlton, NJ 08053.

The Manchester Township Police Department must comply with 105 standards in order to achieve accredited status.

“Accreditation results in greater accountability within the agency, reduced risk and liability exposure, stronger defense against civil lawsuits, increased community support and more confidence in the agency’s ability to operate efficiently and respond to community needs,” Parker said.

The assessment team is composed of law enforcement practitioners from similar New Jersey law enforcement agencies, Delgado said. They 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,” Delgado said.

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, NJ 08053.