The Weehawken Police Department is welcoming public comment for an assessment by the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP) at the end of the month.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
A team of assessors from the NJSACOP on March 26th and 27th, will examine all aspects of the Weehawken Police Department policies and procedures, management, operations, according to Public Safety Director Jeff Welz.
“Verification by the team that the Weehawken 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,” Welz said in a statement.
“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.”
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 201-319-6107 on Thursday March 26th, between the hours of 1000am and 1100am. Email comments can be sent to the Office of Professional Standards and Training at opst@police.weehawkennj.gov.
Telephone comments are limited to five minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with the NJSACOP standards. Please contact Deputy Chief James D. White at 201-319-6107 for information about the standards.
Anyone wishing to offer written comments about the Weehawken Police Departments ability to comply with the standards for accreditation is requested to email the Accreditation Program Director at hdelgado@njsacop.org or write the NJSACOP, Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission at 751 Route 73 North, Suite 12 Marlton, N.J. 08053.
“The assessment team is composed of law enforcement practitioners from similar New Jersey law enforcement agencies,” NJSACOP Program Director Harry Delgado added.
“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 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.