1/21 – Public Invited to Comment as Fair Haven Police Seek State Accreditation

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By John Burton
FAIR HAVEN – A team of state assessors will be working with the borough’s police department as the department seeks state accreditation.
The public will get a chance to offer its comments on the police, its policies and procedures as part of the accreditation process.
Assessors from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police will be in the borough starting on Monday, Feb. 3, to examine all aspects of the department’s operations, management and support services, Chief Darryl G. Breckenridge said.
As part of the final on-site assessment done every three years, community members and department employees can offer their views to the assessment team. That can be accomplished from 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4, by calling 732-747-0241, ext. 399.
Telephone comments are limited to 5 minutes and should address how the department is addressing state chief of police association standards.
A copy of the standards are available for inspection at the police headquarters, 35 Fisk St. To review the standards please contact Sgt. Sherri Lambert at 732-747-0241, ext. 330.
The assessment team will be composed of members from various state law enforcement agencies and will review written materials, interview department members and visit offices and other places where compliance to those standards can be observed, according to Harry J. Delgado, accreditation program manager for the chiefs association.
The department must comply with 100 of the association’s standards to win accredited status.
Winning accreditation for the department results in greater accountability, reduces risk and liability exposure, can provide stronger defense against civil lawsuits and creates more confidence in the department’s ability to respond to the community’s needs, according to Breckenridge.
Accreditation is valid for three years but the department must submit annual reports attesting to its continued compliance with the accreditation’s standards.