Government

Toms River Police Department Accepting Public Comment in Accreditation Push

by
Daniel Nee
December 8, 2022

Toms River Police Car (File Photo)

A team of assessors from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police will come to town next Monday Dec. 12, 2022 to examine all aspects of the Toms River Police Department’s policies and procedures, management, operations, and support services Chief Mitch Little announced this week.

“Verification by the team that the Toms River 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,” Little said.

Achieving accreditation by the association offers numerous benefits for both the department, the municipal government and taxpayers.

“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,” Little said.

Part of obtaining accreditation is the public comment session.

As part of the 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 732-349- 0150, ext. 1119 on Dec. 12, 2022, between the hours of 10-11 a.m. Email comments can be sent to Toms River Police Lieutenant Peter Sundack at psundack@trpolice.org.

Telephone comments are limited to 5 minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with the NJSACOP standards. Please contact Sundack for information about the standards.

Anyone wishing to offer written comments about the Toms River Police Department’s ability to comply with the standards for accreditation may email the Accreditation Program Director 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.

“The assessment team is composed of law enforcement practitioners from similar New Jersey law enforcement agencies,” said Harry J Delgado, accreditation program director. “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 assessors complete their review of the agency, they will report to the full commission, which will then decide if the department 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.