OCEAN CITY – A team of assessors from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP) will arrive on Sunday, July 17, to examine all aspects of the Ocean City Police Department policies and procedures, management, operations, and support services, Chief Jay Prettyman announced last week.
“Verification by the team that the Ocean City 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,” Prettyman said.
As part of this final on-site assessment, employees and members of the general public are invited to provide comments to the assessment team. They may do so by telephone or email. The public may call (609) 525-9147 on Monday, July 18, between 10 and 11a.m. Email comments can be sent to jprettyman@ocnj.us.
Telephone comments are limited to 5 minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with the NJSACOP standards. Upon request, a copy of the standards is available for inspection at the Ocean City Police Department, 835 Central Avenue, Ocean City, NJ. Contact Prettyman at (609) 525-9100.
Anyone wishing to offer written comments about the Ocean City Police Department’s ability to comply with the standards for accreditation is requested to email the Accreditation Program Director at hdelgado@njsacop.org or write the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission at 751 Route 73 North, Suite 12 Marlton, N.J. 08053.
The Ocean City Police Department must comply with NJSACOP LEAP 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,” Prettyman said.
The accreditation program director for the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police is Harry J Delgado, Ed.S.
“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,”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 751 Route 73 North, Suite 12 Marlton, N.J. 08053 or email hdelgado@njsacop.org.