Gloucester Township —A team of assessors from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP) on January 23, 2023, at 8:00 AM, will examine all aspects of the Gloucester Township Police Department policies and procedures, management, operations, and support services Chief David Harkins announced today. Additionally, on January 24, 2023 at 8:30 AM, the NJSACOP will return to the agency and also examine all aspects of the Gloucester Township Police Department’s Public Safety Emergency Communications Center’s policies and procedures, management, operations, and support services. 
“Verification by the team that the Gloucester Township Police Department, including its Public Safety Communications Center both meet 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 David Harkins said.
As part of these final on-site assessments for the New Jersey Law Enforcement Accreditation Program (LEAP), general public employees and members are invited to provide comments to the assessment team. They may do so by telephone or email. The public may call 856-842-5569 on January 23, 2023 between the hours of 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM. Email comments can be sent to police@gtpolice.com .
As part of these final on-site assessments for the Public Safety Communications Center, 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 856-842-5569 on January 24, 2023, between the hours of 10:00 – 11:00 AM. Email comments can be sent to police@gtpolice.com .
Telephone comments are limited to 5 minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with the NJSACOP standards. Please contact Deputy Chief Anthony Minosse at 856-374-3539 for information about the standards.
Anyone wishing to offer written comments about the Gloucester Township Police Department’s ability to comply with the standards for LEAP or its Public Safety Communications Center 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 Gloucester Township Police Department must comply with NJSACOP standards in order to achieve accredited status. Chief David Harkins 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 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,” 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 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
