Community Corner

South Brunswick Police Awarded Top National Certification

The police department is among 12 of the state's over 500 law enforcement agencies to be accredited nationally and statewide.

In October last year, the department announced it was applying for the CALEA accreditation.
In October last year, the department announced it was applying for the CALEA accreditation. (Alex Mirchuk/Patch)

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ – The South Brunswick Police Department can add another feather to its cap. The department was recently awarded for policing excellence, Chief Raymond Hayducka said.

The department received the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) accreditation.

This accreditation requires “agencies to submit annual reports showing compliance with the programs’ standards.”

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“Excellence in policing requires constantly making improvements. In my 16 years as chief, we have never stopped striving to be the best police department in serving our community,” Hayducka said in a statement.

To receive a CALEA accreditation, agencies must complete a process which includes in-depth on-site assessment, community input, and a formal hearing before a panel of commissioners.

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In October last year, the department announced it was applying for the accreditation. They invited the community to provide input during a virtual public information session.

Read More Here: South Brunswick Police Invites Public Input In CALEA Assessment

After applying, an assessment team from CALEA spent days conducting interviews with elected officials, municipal executives, department staff, and community members. They reviewed written materials and examined policies, procedures, and operations protocols across all department activities.

“The department was reviewed by independent national assessors to ensure that we meet the highest standards in policing,” Hayducka said.

The CALEA recognition is the gold standard in law enforcement, he said.

The South Brunswick Police Department is now accredited both nationally, CALEA and statewide by the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police.

Hayducka said this joint accreditation is held by less than 12 of the State’s over 500 law enforcement agencies.

“I am proud of the dedication and commitment of the men and women, both sworn and civilian, who make our department great,” Hayducka said.

“I also want to recognize the support and encouragement of the Mayor Carley and the Council in obtaining this recognition.”

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