The NJ Police Chief Magazine Volume 23, Number 4 | Page 9

The New Jersey Police Chief Magazine | April 2017 NJSACOP LEAP Commission Holds Hearing and Awards Accreditation By Harry J. Delgado, NJSACOP Accreditation Program Manager Twenty four law enforcement agencies were invited to appear in front of the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police Accreditation Commission to state their case in pursuit of accreditation after months of undergoing the rigorous process. Some agencies have invested years in pursuit of excellence by following accepted state and national best practices in law enforcement. On March 9th The New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police Accreditation Commission held their spring hearing and reviewed the reports and testimony of twenty four law enforcement agencies seeking either accreditation or reaccreditation in the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police Law Enforcement Accreditation Program (NJSACOP LEAP). This prestigious certification follows a rigorous review process that may take up to twenty four months to complete. These accredited agencies joined a very exclusive group of law enforcement agencies that have made a commitment to excellence in policing. The following agencies received initial accreditation: Lawrence Township Police Department, North Wildwood Police Department, Bound Brook Police Department, Beachwood Police Department, Lyndhurst Police Department, Belleville Police Department, Lakewood Police Dep artment, Union City Police Department, Vineland City Police Department, Tuckerton Police Department, and Hopewell Township Police Department. The South Brunswick Township Police Department became the second nationally accredited agency to officially receive dual accredited status by meeting the application requirements and demonstrating compliance with NJSACOP LEAP standards. The NJSACOP LEAP – National Program allows nationally accredited agencies to pursue legitimate New Jersey State Accreditation. South Brunswick’s Chief Raymond Hayducka celebrated his agency’s achievement stating, “I knew our agency was up to meeting the challenge of New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police dual accreditation. I told my command staff that the department will only go as high as we set the bar. The state dual accreditation we have achieved is the highest standard”. Accreditation is not a one-time event but rather a process. After initial accreditation agencies must maintain and demonstrate compliance with one hundred and five standards and seek reaccreditation every three years. The following agencies received reaccreditation as well as second or third reaccreditation indicating a remarkable commitment to the accreditation process over many years. Awarded this prestigious status at the Commission hearing were the following agencies: New Jersey State Bureau of Parole, Middle Township Police Department (3 rd ), Berkeley Township Police Department (2nd), Lincoln Park Police Department, Westwood Police Department (2 nd ), Bergen County Sheriff’s Office (2 nd ), and Watchung Police Department, Hazlet Township Police Department, Kenilworth Police Department, Somerset County Sheriff’s Office, Mantua Police Department (2 nd ), and Randolph Police Department. To date over one hundred and eighty agencies have received accredited status through NJSACOP LEAP. more information about our program I may be reached at [email protected]. 8 For