A team of assessors from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP) will arrive on Sunday, September 30, 2012, to examine all aspects of the Manchester Township Police Division’s policies and procedures, management, operations, and support services Chief Brian J. Klimakowski announced today.
“Verification by the team that the Manchester Township Police meet the Commission’s “best practice” standards is part of a voluntary process to achieve accreditation, a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence”, Chief Klimakowski said.
As part of the on-site assessment, agency employees and members of the community are invited to offer comments by calling 732-849-8359 on Monday, October 1, 2012 between the hours of 9:00 A.M. & 11:00 A.M.
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 police headquarters, located at 1 Colonial Drive, Manchester, N.J. The local contact is Lt. Todd Malland, who can be reached at (732) 657-2009 ext. 4104.
Anyone wishing to offer written comments about the Manchester Township Police’s ability to comply with the standards for accreditation is requested to write: New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission, C/O Harry Delgado, Accreditation Program Manager, 1 Greentree Centre, Suite 201, 10000 Lincoln Drive East, Marlton, N.J. 08053
The Manchester Township Police must comply with 112 standards in order to achieve accredited status. Chief Klimakowski indicated, “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.”
The Accreditation Program Manager for the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police is Mr. Harry J Delgado. “The assessment team is composed of law enforcement practitioners 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”, Harry J. Delgado stated.
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 1 Greentree Centre, Suite 201, 10000 Lincoln Drive East, Marlton, N.J. 08053