Wall Police Invite Public Input For Accreditation Assessment

WALL, NJ — The Wall Township Police Department will be undergoing an assessment of its operations on Sunday, Nov. 6, and residents are invited to provide comment as part of that assessment, Police Chief Kenneth Brown Jr. announced.

A team of assessors from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police will be onsite on Sunday to examine all aspects of the Wall Township Police Department’s policies and procedures, management, operations, and support services, he said.

“Verification by the assessment team that the Wall 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,” Brown said.

This is Wall's third accreditation assessment. The department was first accredited on April 15, 2010 and was reaccredited on March 19, 2015.

The onsite assessment is the final part of the process, and includes the community's input. Employees and members of the public can call 732-280-4341 on Monnday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Comments will be taken by the assessment team. Comments also may be emailed to the police department at cclark@wallpolice.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 standards is available for inspection at the Wall Township Police Department, 2700 Allaire Road, Wall, N.J. 07719. Please contact Lieutenant Chad Clark at 732-449-4500 ext. 1143 for more information.

Anyone wishing to submit written comments about the Wall 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; may submit them by phone at 856-988-5880, or write to the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission, at 751 Route 73 North West, Suite 12, Marlton, N.J. 08053.

The Wall Township Police Department must comply with 100 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," Brown said.

The assessment team is composed of law enforcement 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. Following the review, a report is submitted and the Chiefs of Police association decides whether the agency is to be granted accredited status, he said.

Accreditation is valid for a three-year period, and departments have to submit annual reports to show they continue to comply with the standards, officials said.

"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," the organization said in a news release. 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.

Shield image via Wall Township Police Department