JACKSON – Police Chief Matthew Kunz announced the department’s recent achievement in being awarded accreditation through the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP).
“Accreditation is a progressive and time-proven method of assisting law enforcement agencies to calculate and improve their overall performance. The foundation of Accreditation lies in the adoption of standards containing a clear statement of professional objectives. Participating agencies conduct a thorough self-analysis to determine how existing operations can be adapted to meet these standards and objectives,” Chief Kunz added.
This required updating the agency’s policies and procedures and obtaining nearly 1,000 proofs to show that the agency was in compliance with the 112 standards for accreditation. This process will be maintained on a continuing basis for accreditation reassessment which is done every three years.
“When the procedures are in place, a team of trained, independent assessors verifies that the applicable standards have been successfully implemented,” he said.
Staff personnel began the accreditation process in the spring of 2020 and the on-site assessment was conducted in August 2021. Chief Kunz, along with Sgt. David Watson and Captain Steve Laskiewicz then attended a NJSACOP accreditation commission review board in October.
During that gathering the department was awarded with accredited status. The certificate was presented to the department concluding the yearlong process.
The chief said, “we would like to thank all of the agency personnel who assisted in this process and the township administration for their support.”
Accredited status represents a significant professional achievement, he said. Accreditation acknowledges the implementation of policies and procedures that are conceptually sound and operationally effective.
The NJSACOP Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission adopts program standards, reviews all assessment reports and approves all recommendations for the granting of accredited status of applicant agencies.
According to a release from the Jackson Police Department, “the attitudes, training and actions of personnel of New Jersey’s law enforcement agencies best reflect compliance with the standards contained in this program.”
“Policy and procedure based on Accreditation will not ensure mistake-free policing or a crime-free environment for citizens. Nor will it ensure an absence of litigation against law enforcement agencies and executives,” the release added.
It was also noted by Jackson Police that “comprehensive and effective leadership through professionally based policy development is directly influenced by a law enforcement program that is thorough, complete, and obtainable, and based on standards that reflect professional best practices.”
