ACCREDITATION ASSESSMENT TEAM INVITES PUBLIC COMMENT TODAY

(Mahwah, NJ) –  Today, October 29th, the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP) will examine all aspects of Bergen County Communications Public Safety Operations Center’s policies and procedures, management, operations, and support services Director Charles Schwartz announced today.

“Verification that the Bergen County Communications Center meets the Commission’s ‘best practices’ standards is part of a voluntary process to achieve accreditation, a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence,” Director Charles Schwartz said.

As part of this final on-site assessment, agency employees and members of the general public are invited to provide comments to a NJSACOP Assessor. They may do so by telephone or email. The public may call (201) 312-8380 on October 29, 2024, between the hours of 10:00 am –11:00 am. Email comments can be sent to Chief Public Safety Telecommunicator (PST) Shawn Stewart at sstewart@bergencountynj.gov.

Telephone comments are limited to 5 minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with the NJSACOP Public Safety Communications Centers standards. Please contact Chief PST Shawn Stewart at (201) 785-8504 for information about the standards.

Anyone wishing to offer written comments about Bergen County Communications Center’s ability to comply with the standards for accreditation is requested to 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 Bergen County Communications Center must comply with NJSACOP standards to achieve accredited status. Director Charles Schwartz indicated, “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.

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

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 New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police through its New Jersey Law Enforcement Communications Accreditation Commission is the legitimate authority and accreditation agency in the state of New Jersey. For more information regarding the Law Enforcement Communications Accreditation Commission please write the Commission at New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, Law Enforcement Public Safety Communications Accreditation Commission at 751 Route 73 North, Suite 12 Marlton, N.J. 08053 or email hdelgado@njsacop.org.

Media outlets seeking follow up information may contact Derek Sands, at (201) 336-6979.