MANCHESTER – “To all our residents, let it be known that our police department is surely the pride of Ocean County,” Council Vice President James Vaccaro said. The statement was in response to news that the department achieved accreditation.
Vaccaro made the statement during a recent township council meeting where Police Chief Antonio Ellis was presented a police accreditation certificate by Harry J Delgado, the Accreditation Program Director at NJSACOP.
Delgado referenced the program and Manchester Police Department’s achieving it more than once “as a significant achievement.”
This process recognizes police excellence by having agencies voluntarily adopt Law Enforcement Accreditation Program (LEAP) standards set forth by the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP). These include a number of best practices. Departments perform a self-assessment and undergo an on-site review by trained assessors from similar agencies. Benefits of accreditation include increased professionalism and improved community confidence in the agency.
It was also noted that State Accredited agencies may also be eligible for insurance rate discounts.
Accreditation is a progressive and time-proven method of assisting law enforcement agencies to calculate and improve their overall performance. Accreditation promotes standards containing a clear statement of professional objectives.
Delgado noted that when the procedures are in place, a team of trained, independent assessors verifies that the applicable standards have been successfully implemented.
Chief Ellis commended the work of Lt. David Fusaro, who served as the department’s accreditation manager.
The police department received praise during the meeting. Mayor Joseph Hankins remarked that the police department’s leadership program was extensive. “Knowing what the Police Chiefs Association does and their due diligence to being perfect, it is no easy fete and it is appreciated.”
“God bless our Manchester police officers,” Council President Roxy Conniff added. “They are the best in the state possibly in the nation. Their leadership team is amazing.”
Councilman Craig Wallis who also commended them referenced the insurance savings the township would be eligible for thanks to the accreditation. “It helps them in court when they testify,” he added noting that it provides the department with an added professional status.
“It shows excellence by example,” Councilwoman Michele Zolezi said. This is also the motto of Manchester schools.
Vaccaro thanked the chief and “the members of the police department and the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police.”
Councilwoman Sandy Drake is a retired member of the police department who remarked “I still feel a part of it every day.” She also noted the success of the police department’s recent Pawsta Dinner benefit for the department’s K-9 unit.
“A shout out to Mayor Hankins and Councilwoman Drake for their tireless work (concerning the fundraiser) and Coach (Tommy) Farrell Jr. and the Manchester Football team for their assistance with this successful event. The dogs were there, the residents came out and we served over 200 meals and raised over a thousand dollars,” the chief said.
Those funds will be used for that unit including “vests, food and things like that through the police foundation. It was very well received,” the chief noted.
Traffic Issues
Chief Ellis also reported on the status of work at the Route 37 jughandle that “we got confirmation from the vendors who are doing the construction of the (traffic) signal that we are looking at some time in November. We were originally promised August but they ran into some issues with the lining and cable and technological stuff that is above my pay grade that is going into the signal.”
“Expect delays there until November,” the chief warned. As to Route 571, “they are slated to begin construction and realignment of a traffic signal at that intersection on or about November 1. It is expected to last 175 days so expect a delay there.”
“We will be putting it on our social media and issuing notices to the public. We don’t expect major delays but there will be some lane closures alternating traffic and things like that while they are working. It is an intersection in a dangerous condition with all the traffic there,” Ellis added.
