HOWELL – The township’s police department recently hosted a team of assessors from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP).
The accreditation assessors examined all aspects of the department’s policies and procedures, management, operations, and support services.
“Verification by the team that the Howell Township Police Department meets the Commission’s ‘best practice’ standards is part of a voluntary process to achieve accreditation, a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence,” Chief Andrew Kudrick said.
The chief said that as part of this final on-site assessment, employees and members of the general public were invited to provide comments to the assessment team. They had the option of calling or e-mailing comments about the police department.
Phone comments were limited to five minutes and had to focus on the agency’s ability to comply with the NJSACOP standards.
A copy of the standards is available for inspection at the Howell Township Police Department located at 300 Old Tavern Road.
Howell Police Sgt. Scott Revilak said the department is currently an accredited agency. “We received accredited status through the NJSACOP in 2017. Once this status is obtained it is valid for a period of three years.
“During that time the agency must display continued compliance with the NJSACOP standards while working towards the next accreditation review period. The accreditation files which I have constructed over the previous three years are currently being evaluated by the NJSACOP assessors,” Sgt. Revilak said. “These files serve as proofs that the agency has been and is complying with the NJSACOP standards. After their review and an on-site assessment, we will be notified when to appear in front of the New Jersey Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission for a final assessment review.”
The sergeant said it is unknown when that will occur, but most likely in the fall of 2020.
“The commission determines the agency’s accredited status going forward,” Sgt. Revilak said. He can answer any questions from the public about the process and can be reached at 732-938-4575 ext. 2244 for more information.
Anyone wishing to offer written comments about the Howell Township Police Department’s ability to comply with the standards for accreditation is requested to email the Accreditation Program Director at hdelgado@njsacop.org or write the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission at 751 Route 73 North, Suite 12 Marlton, N.J. 08053.
Chief Kudrick said, “accreditation results in greater accountability within the agency, reduced risk and liability exposure, stronger defense against civil lawsuits, increased community advocacy, and more confidence in the agency’s ability to operate efficiently and respond to community needs.”
The chief stressed that Howell’s police department must comply with NJSACOP LEAP standards in order to achieve its accredited status.
Harry J. Delgado serves as the Accreditation Program Director for the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police.
“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,” Delgado said.
Delgado added, “once the Commission’s assessors complete their review of the agency, they will report to the full Commission, which will then decide if the agency is to be granted accredited status.”
Accreditation is valid for a three-year period during which time the agency must submit annual reports attesting to their continued compliance with those standards under which it was initially accredited.
The New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police through its New Jersey Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission is the legitimate authority and accreditation agency in the state of New Jersey. For additional information regarding the Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission write the Commission at New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission at 751 Route 73 North, Suite 12 Marlton, N.J. 08053 or email hdelgado@njsacop.org
