Ocean Township Police seek accreditation status

How have the men and women in Ocean Township blue been doing?

Chief Steven Peters says a team of assessors from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP) will arrive in town on May 13 to examine all aspects of the Police Department’s policies and procedures, management, operations, and support services.

“Verification by the team that the Township of Ocean Police 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 Peters said.

The Township of Ocean Police Department must comply with 105 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," Chief Peters said.

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 Manager for the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police 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."

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 (732) 897-6205 on May 13 between the hours of 10:00 am and 11:00 am.

You can send email comments can to Township of Ocean Police Detective Lieutenant Eduardo Segarra at esegarra@oceantwp.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 Township of Ocean Police Department 399 Monmouth Road Oakhurst, NJ 07755 and you can contact Township of Ocean Police Detective Lieutenant Eduardo Segarra III at (732) 531-1800 with any questions.

Anyone wishing to offer written comments about the Township of Ocean Police Department’s ability to comply with the standards for accreditation is asked to email the Accreditation Program manager 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, N.J. 08053.

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