Stockton University Atlantic City Campus.

GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP – A team of assessors from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police will examine all aspects of the Stockton University Police Department policies and procedures Tuesday and Wednesday Feb. 8 and 9.

“Verification by the team that the Stockton University 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,” Stockton Director of Campus Public Safety Adrian Wiggins said.

As part of this final on-site assessment, employees and members of the general public are invited to provide comments to the assessment team. They may do so by telephone or email. The public may call 609-626-3412 9-10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 9. Comments will be taken by the Assessment Team.  Email comments can be sent to the police department at police.accreditation@stockton.edu.

Telephone comments are limited to five minutes and must address the Stockton University Police Department’s ability to comply with the NJSACOP standards. Contact the Stockton University Police Department’s Accreditation Manager David Madamba at 609-626-3428 or david.madamba@stockton.edu for more information.

Anyone wishing to offer written comments about the Stockton University Police Department’s ability to comply with the standards for accreditation should email the Accreditation Program Director Harry Delgado 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, NJ 08053.

“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.  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,” Delgado said.

The Stockton University Police Department must comply with NJSACOP LEAP standards in order to achieve accredited status.

“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,”  Wiggins said.

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 more information regarding the Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission please 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


Nanette LoBiondo Galloway

Award winning journalist covering news, events and people of Atlantic County for more than 20 years.