Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on Tuesday, March 29, 2022, and Wednesday, March 30, 2022, a team of assessors from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP) will examine all aspects of the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office policies.
The law enforcement organization's procedures, management, operations, and support services will also be reviewed.
Verification by the NJSACOP team that the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office 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.
"The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office was initially accredited in 2012 and re-accredited in 2015 and 2019.
This will be the Prosecutor's Office's fourth voluntary accreditation process. It is a significant milestone to achieve and maintain accreditation and be recognized as an agency that continually follows "best practices" in law enforcement while serving the people of Ocean County," Prosecutor Billhimer stated.
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 contact the Accreditation Team at (609) 929-1386 on Wednesday, March 30, 2022, between 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.
Email comments may be sent to Accreditation Manager Gagliano at cgagliano@co.ocean.nj.us.
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 Ocean County Prosecutor's Office, 119 Hooper Avenue, Toms River, NJ. Please get in touch with Accreditation Manager Gagliano for more information in that regard.
Anyone wishing to submit written comments about the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office's ability to comply with the standards for accreditation may send them to Harry J Delgado, Accreditation Program Director, New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission, 751 Route 73 North, Suite 12, Marlton, NJ 08053, or email Mr. Delgado at hdelgado@njsacop.org .
"The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office must comply with 112 standards to achieve accredited status," Prosecutor Billhimer indicated.
"The NJSACOP has created the standards that meet the "best practices" for law enforcement agencies. Abiding by those standards reduces the potential for civil liability for the County while simultaneously increasing accountability within the Office.
MOfficening adherence to these standards helps the office opOfficeefficiently and provide the best service possible to the community," Prosecutor Billhimer concluded. Accreditation Program Director Delgado likewise noted:
"The assessment team comprises 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 may be observed.
Once the Commission's assessors complete their review of the agency, they will report back 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 NJSACOP - through its 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 direct inquiries to the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission, 751 Route 73 North, Suite 12, Marlton, NJ 08053.