PLUMSTED – A team of assessors from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP) will perform a review of the Plumsted Township Police Department to determine if the department is maintaining proper policing standards.
A team of assessors from NJSACOP will be in town on March 5-6 to examine all aspects of the police department’s policies and procedures, management, operations and support services, Police Chief Matthew Petrecca said.
“Verification by the assessment team that the police department meets the NJSACOP New Jersey Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission’s ‘best practice’ standards is part of a voluntary process to achieve accreditation, a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence,” he said.
As part of the on-site assessment, employees and members of the public are invited to provide comments to the assessment team, according to a press release. They may do so by telephone or email. Members of the public may call 609-758-7077, ext. 0, from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. March 5. Comments may also be sent to Chiefpetrecca254@plumstedpolice.org
Telephone comments are limited to five minutes and must address the police department’s ability to comply with NJSACOP standards. A copy of the standards is available for inspection at the police department, 2 Cedar St. Contact Petrecca for additional information.
Anyone wishing to offer written comments about the department’s ability to comply with the standards for accreditation may email Harry Delgado at hdelgado@njsacop.org or write to NJSACOP, Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission, 751 Route 73 North Suite 12, Marlton, NJ 08053.
The police department must comply with 105 standards in order to achieve accredited status. according to the press release.
Petrecca 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.”
Accreditation is valid for three years, during which time the agency must submit annual reports attesting to its continued compliance with those standards under which it was initially accredited, according to the press release.
