The South Brunswick Police Department has been awarded national recognition for policing excellence by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA).
CALEA accreditation requires agencies to submit annual reports showing compliance with the programs’ standards. Agencies must complete a process that includes an in-depth on-site assessment, community input, and a formal hearing before a panel of commissioners.
The assessment of these professional standards provides for a high level of transparency and commitment to an objective critique of the police department’s policies, procedures, and operating standards, according to information provided by the South Brunswick Police Department.
Last year, an assessment team from CALEA spent multiple days conducting interviews with elected officials, municipal executives, department staff, and community members; reviewing written materials and examining policies, procedures, and operations protocols across the full spectrum of department activities, including riding along with officers in the field to verify that policies and procedures were actually in practice, according to the statement.
“The department was reviewed by independent national assessors to ensure that we meet the highest standards in policing,” Chief Raymond J. Hayducka said in the statement.
The team of assessors looked at over 484 standards of policies, procedures, management, operations, and support services of the South Brunswick Police Department in awarding the recognition.
The CALEA recognition is the gold standard in law enforcement.
The South Brunswick Police Department is now accredited both nationally, CALEA, and statewide by the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police. The joint accreditation is a unique designation held by less than 12 of the state’s over 500 law enforcement agencies.
“Excellence in policing requires constantly making improvements. In my 16 years as chief, we have never stopped striving to be the best police department in serving our community. I am proud of the dedication and commitment of the men and women, both sworn and civilian, who make our department great,” Hayducka said in the statement. “I also want to recognize the support and encouragement of Mayor [Charles] Carley and the [Township] Council in obtaining this recognition.”
