The New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP) will conduct an on-site assessment of the Plainsboro Police Department on Sunday and Monday, November 11 and 12, to ensure the department meets the standards for accredited status.
“Verification by the team that the Plainsboro Township Police Department meets the commission’s ‘best practice’ standards is part of a voluntary process to achieve accreditation,” Chief Guy Armour said in a statement.
On Monday, November 12, department employees and community members are invited to comment on the department’s ability to meet NJSACOP standards by calling 609-799-2333, ext. 1602, between 9 and 11 a.m. Comments are limited to five minutes.
To offer written comments, write to NJSACOP, Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission, One Greentree Centre, Suite 201, Marlton, NJ 08053.
To achieve accreditation, the Plainsboro police must comply with 112 standards in four major areas: policy and procedures, administration, operations, and support services. The accreditation is valid for three years, during which the department must submit annual reports. A copy of the standards is available at police headquarters, 641 Plainsboro Road, Plainsboro.
“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,” Armour said.
The chief added that the Plainsboro department was accredited approximately 20 years ago but did not maintain the accreditation. “My command staff and I decided that we wanted to pursue accreditation because the process verifies that an agency is following the best standardized law enforcement practices. We wanted to ensure that we were one of approximately 70 agencies that are currently accredited in New Jersey.”
If the assessment is successful, Plainsboro will join West Windsor, which achieved accredited status in 2007.
