A team of assessors from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP) will arrive on September 9 to examine all aspects of the Lakehurst Borough Police Department policies and procedures, management, operations and support services, announced Lakehurst Police Chief Eric Higgins.

As part of this final on-site assessment, employees and members of the general public are invited to provide comments to the assessment team.

You may do so by telephone by calling (732) 657-7812 extension 204 on September 9, 2019 between the hours of 11:00 am and 12:00 pm.

Email comments may be sent to the police department at mmorelli@lakehurstpolice.org.

Telephone comments are limited to 5 minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with the NJSACOP standards.

A copy of the standards is available for inspection at the Lakehurst Borough Police Department, 530 Union Avenue, Lakehurst, NJ 08733.

Please contact Officer Melissa Morelli at (732) 657-7812 extension 420 for more information.

Anyone wishing to submit written comments about the Lakehurst Borough Police Department’s ability to comply with the standards for accreditation may send them by email to Harry J. Delgado, Ed.S Accreditation Program Director, hdelgado@njsacop.org, or write to the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission at 751 Route 73 North, Suite 12, Marlton, N.J. 08053.

The Lakehurst Borough Police Department must comply with NJSACOP LEAP standards in order to achieve accredited status.

“Verification by the team that the Lakehurst Borough 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”, Chief Eric Higgins 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 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.

“The assessment team is composed of law enforcement practitioners from similar New Jersey law enforcement agencies," The Accreditation Program Director for the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police is Mr. Harry J Delgado, Ed.S. 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."

The New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police through its 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, N.J. 08053 or email hdelgado@njsacop.org.

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