Toms River Police Undergoing Accreditation Review

Toms River, NJ -- The Toms River Township Police Department is inviting the public to give comment on Monday to an assessment team that is reviewing the police department for its accreditation.

A team of assessors from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police is scheduled to arrive on Monday, July 18, for an on-site review of "all aspects of the Toms River Township Police Department’s policies and procedures, management, operations, and support services," Chief Mitchell Little said.

“Verification by the team that the Toms River Township Police Department meets the commission’s 'best practice' standards is part of a voluntary process to achieve accreditation, a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence,” Little said.

As part of the final on-site assessment, employees and members of the public are invited to provide comments to the assessment team, by telephone or email.

To comment by phone, call 732-914-0121 on Monday, July 18, between 9 a.m.-11 a.m. Comments will be taken by the assessment team. Email comments can be sent to the police department at accreditation@trpolice.org.

Telephone comments are limited to 5 minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with the NJSACOP standards.

Anyone wishing to submit written comments about the Toms River Township Police Department’s ability to comply with the standards for accreditation may send them by email to Harry J. Delgado, Accreditation Program Manager, hdelgado@njsacop.org, by phone 856.3348943, or write to the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission at 751 Route 73 North, Suite 12, Marlton, N.J. 08053.

A copy of the standards is available for inspection at the Toms River Township Police Department, 255 Oak Avenue, Toms River, N.J. 08753. Please contact Sam Seaman at 732-349-0150 ext. 1843 for more information.

The Toms River Township Police Department must comply with 106 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 advocacy, and more confidence in the agency’s ability to operate efficiently and respond to community needs,” Little said.

Delgado said the assessment team is composed of law enforcement officers 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 to the full commission, which will then decide if the agency is to be granted accredited status.

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, N.J. 08053