A team of assessors from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP) will arrive on June 8, 2014 to examine all aspects of the Springfield Police Department’s policies and procedures, management, operations, and support services Police Chief John Cook announced today.
“Verification by the team that the Springfield 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”, Chief Cook 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 973-232-4444 on June 9, 2014, between the hours of 9:00 A.M. & 11:00 A.M.. Email comments can be sent to [email protected].
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 Springfield Police Department, 100 Mountain Avenue, Springfield N.J.07081. Please contact Captain Patrick McLaughlin at 973-376-0400.
Anyone wishing to submit comments about the Springfield Police Department’s ability to comply with the standards for accreditation may send them by email to Harry J Delgado, Accreditation Program Manager, [email protected], by phone 856.988.5880, or write to the New Jersey State Association of Chief’s of Police, Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission at 751 Route 73 North, Suite 12, Marlton, N.J. 08053.
The Springfield Police Department must comply with 100 standards in order to achieve accredited status. Chief Cook 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 751 Route 73 North, Suite 12, Marlton, N.J. 08053.