NORTH BERGEN, NJ-- A team of assessors from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP) will arrive on Monday, August 26, 2019, to examine all aspects of the North Bergen Police Department’s policies and procedures, management, operations, and support services in order to renew the Department’s Accreditation Status.
“Verification by the team that the North Bergen Police Department continues to meet the Commission’s best practice standards is part of a voluntary process to renew its accredited status, a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence,” Chief Dowd said.
As part of this on-site reassessment, 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 (201) 392-2134 on Monday, August 26, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Comments may also be emailed to the assessment team via accreditation@northbergenpd.com.
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 North Bergen Police Department, 4233 Kennedy Blvd., North Bergen, NJ. Please contact the Chief’s Office at 201-392-2134.
Anyone wishing to offer written comments about the North Bergen Police Department’s ability to comply with the standards for accreditation is requested to email the accreditation program manager 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 North Bergen Police Department must comply with 112 standards to achieve accredited status. Chief Dowd 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, 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”, Harry J Delgado stated.
Accreditation is only 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. This year marks the North Bergen Police Department’s first reaccreditation period.
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.