Montclair Police Chief Taking Pride In PD’s New Accreditation

MONTCLAIR, NJ — The Montclair Police Department recently celebrated a professional milestone: accreditation status with the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP).

Town and NJSACOP officials presented the MPD’s new accreditation certificate to Chief Todd Conforti at the November 27 council meeting.

“The department has been seeking accreditation status with the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police for a period of time now,” Conforti said. “Accreditation status represents a significant professional achievement which acknowledges that the policies and procedures we’ve put in place are conceptually sound and operationally effective.”

According to a municipal news release, NJSACOP accreditation requires police departments to adopt standards that have a clear statement of professional objectives. As part of the process, the Department reviewed all of its policies and procedures and made necessary revisions. Deputy Chief Frazzano and Detective Sergeant Cunningham then inspected protocols and gathered documentation that department personnel was following all standards.

In July, a team of assessors from the NJSACOP Accreditation Commission came to police headquarters to examine the department. Once the assessors’ inspection was complete, a report was sent to the NJSACOP Accreditation Commission for review, officials said.

Chief Conforti, Deputy Chief Frazzano and Detective Sergeant Cunningham attended a NJSACOP accreditation commission gearing in South Brunswick on Oct. 17 and following questions from the panel, the department was unanimously approved as an Accredited Law Enforcement Agency until 2021.

“I take pride in that the Montclair Police Department was able to attain this accreditation," Conforti said. “This was a project to which the department devoted a substantial amount of time and resources, and I would like to thank all of the members of the department for their efforts. I believe that the accreditation process has made us a better organization and that this experience will improve the quality of services that the department provides to the community.”

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Photos: Montclair Township