MARGATE – The city’s police department is seeking re-accreditation from the NJ State Association of Chiefs of Police and the public is invited to provide input during the process.A team of assessors from the association will be in town Thursday, March 31 to examine all aspects of the Margate City Police Department policies and procedures, management, operations, and support services, according to a release from Chief Matthew Hankinson on Monday.
“Verification by the team that the Margate City 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”, Hankinson 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 609-517-0241 10-11 a.m. Wednesday, March 30. Email comments can be sent to scullion_joseph@margate-nj.com.
Telephone comments are limited to five minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with the NJSACOP standards. Contact Lt. Joe Scullion at 609-822-1151 for information about the standards.
Anyone wishing to offer written comments about the Margate City 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, NJ 08053.
The Margate City 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,” Hankinson 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. 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 Program Director Harry J. Delgado 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. this is the third time the department is seeking accreditation.
The New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police through it’s 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, NJ, 08053 or email hdelgado@njsacop.org.
