PROVIDED/From left, Ventnor Police Chief Joseph Fussner, Lt. Peter Munizza, Lt. William Borelli, Sgt. James Franco, Sgt. Kevin Brady, and Capt. Joseph Wootton.
VENTNOR – The Police Department is currently undergoing the process of reaccreditation through the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police and the Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission and the public is invited to submit comments to a team of assessors about police operations in Ventnor.
A team of assessors from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police will be in Ventnor Feb. 21 to examine all aspects of the Ventnor City Police Department’s policies and procedures, management, operations and support services, Chief Joe Fussner announced today.
“Verification by the team that the Ventnor 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,” Fussner said.
The Ventnor 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,” Fussner said.
The assessment team is composed of law enforcement practitioners from similar New Jersey law enforcement agencies, NJSACOP Accreditation Program Director Harry J. Delgado said.
“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.
Accreditation is valid for a three-year period during which time the agency must submit annual reports attesting to its continued compliance with the standards under which it was initially accredited.
As part of this final on-site assessment, employees and members of the general public are invited to provide comments to the assessment team by telephone, email or in writing.
The public may call 609-823-7928 10-11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21 or email comments to dgaeckle@police.ventnorcity.org. Telephone comments are limited to five minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with the NJSACOP standards. Contact Lt. Gaeckle at 609-823-7929 for information about the standards.
Anyone wishing to offer written comments about the Ventnor 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.
