After two years of preparation, the West Windsor Police Department appears to be on its way to being deemed worthy of state accreditation. Police Chief Joseph Pica says the department worked for two years to meet the standards set by the New Jersey Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission, and was visited by assessors from February 10-12.##M:[more]##
“The assessors gave us a final report and said as far as they could see, we were in compliance with the standards, and they would recommend that we receive accreditation,” said Pica.
The department expects to get an official decision by this summer. The accreditation meets three times yearly, and will make a ruling at its next meeting. There are 146 standards according to the New Jersey Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission. The standards can be found at the police department, or on its website. If West Windsor passes, it would be the second town in Mercer County to do so. Princeton Borough was the first, and Ewing is due to be evaluated next.
The police department, as required by the assessors, hosted a public meeting on February 11 which allowed the public to comment on the department’s compliance with the standards. Pica said about 15 people attended, and all had positive comments. Several more called at a designated time on February 12, also offerring support.
Sergeant William Bastedo has spearheaded the West Windsor campaign for accreditation. Bastedo is in his 20th year with the department, and is himself an assessor. He says the department has always been up to the standards, but has had to improve its documentation of operations to be able to provide proof of its compliance. “The process has gotten us to realize what our goals are. Everybody has been involved, and everyone is on the same page,” says Bastedo.
The department has examined itself throughout its campaign for accreditation, and according to Bastedo, is better off for it. As a result of looking at its own operations, it has improved its personnel management, career counseling, and evidence handling system. Bastedo says the department was well prepared for its review. “I can’t anticipate any problems,” he said prior to the assessors’ arrival.
According to Pica, accreditation will bring lower costs for liability insurance, thereby reducing the annual operations cost of the department. In addition to that, he says it is important for the men in the department to be recognized for the work they do.
“The overall purpose of going through the process is to improve our delivery of service to the public. It’s made us review ourselves, and set standards of operations for our officers,” said Pica. “It will give our officers a sense of pride to know what they’re doing is recognized.”
