The New Jersey Police Chief Magazine | November 2021
NJSACOP LEAP Commission Reviews Twenty-Two ( 22 ) Agencies October 28 , 2021
Harry J . Delgado , Ed . S ., NJSACOP Accreditation Program Director
The New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police Law Enforcement Commission was pleased to return to in person hearings this past October 28 , 2021 and granted accredited or reaccredited status to twenty-two ( 22 ) law enforcement agencies . Agencies were queried directly by the Commissioners in a safe in person environment , providing these agencies an opportunity to present themselves and answer questions seeking to achieve initial accreditation or reaccreditation .
The Montville Police Department Communications Center – Public Safety Answering Point ( PSAP ) became only the third Emergency Communications Center granted accredited status under the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police Law Enforcement Accreditation Program . This highly regarded program includes voluntary standards for communications agencies within the State of New Jersey .
Members of the Elizabeth Police Dept .
In addition , NJSACOP LEAP-PSAP welcomed new agencies that achieved initial accreditation . The Glen Ridge Police Department , West Deptford Police Department , Jackson Township Police Department , Elizabeth Police Department , and Gloucester City Police Department are the newest members to this prestigious group of accredited law enforcement agencies in New Jersey . The following agencies received reaccreditation : Dover Police Department , North Brunswick Police Department , Egg Harbor Township Police Department , Wyckoff Police Department , Bayonne Police Department , Mount Laurel Police Department , Eatontown Police Department , Salem County Prosecutor ’ s Office , Garfield Police Department , Secaucus Police Department , Salem County Sheriff ’ s Office , Chatham Borough Police Department , Franklin Lakes Police Department , Woodbury City Police Department , Rockaway Borough Police Department and Montclair Police Department .
During these uniquely challenging times , and the threat to the health and safety of our law enforcement officers , encouraging police agencies to follow standardized practices and policies is a potentially lifesaving , and cost-effective , investment of time and resources .
NJSACOP LEAP – PSAP has become the fastest state law enforcement accreditation program in the country . Law Enforcement agencies in New Jersey recognize that management studies by self-insured pooling organizations indicate that Accreditation ( best practices ) significantly reduces the risk factors associated with police operations , particularly during trying times , as we adjust the delivery of police services to meet the challenges brought about by the public health crisis .
Accreditation gives an agency a preparedness plan and verification of excellence .
On behalf of the NJSACOP Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission , please accept my best wishes to all our member agencies , their personnel and the Chiefs that lead them , and thank you for all that you are doing to protect and serve our communities under the most difficult of conditions .
NJSACOP Law Enforcement Accreditation Continues to Lead the Way
Mitchell C . Sklar , NJSACOP Executive Director
The NJSACOP is very proud to announce that our Accreditation Program Director Harry Delgado was elected the first Presiding Chair of the AccredNet Organization at their Annual Conference in Charleston , South Carolina on Thursday November 11th , 2021 . His team is charged with updating by-laws and establishing clear direction for AccredNet as a representative body of state accreditation programs throughout the U . S . Approximately thirty-nine states presently comprise AccredNet .
For those not familiar with this organization , AccredNet is a federation of state law enforcement accreditation entities that provides guidance , advocacy , and support to advance law enforcement accreditation at the state level . The organization also promotes excellence in policing through standards that reflect state and national professional best practices . AccredNet was recognized by the US Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services ( COPS Office ), designating their members “ Credentialing Entities ” as part of a Presidential Executive Order of Safe Policing for Safe Communities on June 16 , 2020 . This designation made it a requirement for law enforcement agencies seeking COPS grants to be approved for eligibility by State Accrediting bodies which are members of AccredNet .
This election is a tribute both to Harry ' s standing with his accreditation colleagues around the nation , as well as the reputation of our Accreditation Program as the standard in law enforcement credentialing . The Association is proud of both Harry and our program , and even more so of the law enforcement executives in our state that have embraced accreditation in a way that sets the standard for the nation .
We are also very pleased to announce the appointment of three new members to the NJSACOP Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission : New Providence Chief Theresa Gazaway , Woodbury Chief Tom Ryan , and Cape May Police Academy Director Tom DePaul , formerly Chief of the Wildwood Crest PD . These three outstanding police professionals will be each be a significant asset to our Accreditation Commission and the accreditation movement in our state .