MANCHESTER – Chief Robert Dolan reported to the governing body and the public about the police department’s progress in moving toward state accreditation. The township will receive its certification in June.
When a police department follows the best practices, as set forth by the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP), they get accredited. It’s a lengthy and challenging process.
There are five basic areas where a police department measures their standards. They include: the administrative function, the personnel function, the operations function, the investigative function, and the arrestee/detainee function.
As part of the final assessment, employees and members of the general public were invited to offer comments to the assessment team. They were able to call for five minutes or send an email. Their comments were taken by the Assessment Team and also sent to the police department.
All the comments had to address the agency’s ability to comply with the NJSACOP standards. A copy of the standards is available for inspection at the Manchester Township Police Department.
Chief Dolan commended Cpl. Thomas O’Hare during a recent Township Council meeting for his diligence working on the accreditation process.
Mayor Robert Hudak thanked the chief and the department for their hard work in securing accreditation. It will expire in 2025 as the accreditation is valid for a three-year period. Members of the Council also congratulated Dolan during the meeting on this accomplishment.
Harry J. Delgado, Accreditation Program Manager oversaw the review of the department for NJSACOP.
The NJSACOP through its New Jersey Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission is the legitimate authority and accreditation agency in the state.
Delgado said, “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.”
Chief Dolan told the governing body that the Commission’s assessors completed their review of the agency, and then reported to the full Commission, which then decided the agency was to be granted accredited status.
Following their certification in June, the township police department must submit annual reports attesting to their continued compliance with those standards.
