An accreditation program has long been recognized as a means of maintaining the highest standards of professionalism in a given industry. In short, accreditation is the certification by an independent reviewing authority that an entity has met specific requirements and prescribed standards. Schools, universities, and hospitals are some of the most well known organizations that are required to maintain accreditation. Law enforcement agencies in New Jersey can now attain accredited status through the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police [NJSACOP]. 

The New Jersey Law Enforcement Accreditation Program was formed by the NJSACOP for the purpose of developing and administering a law enforcement agency accreditation program for police agencies within New Jersey. The program is intended to provide law enforcement agencies in New Jersey an avenue for demonstrating that they meet commonly accepted standards for the efficient and effective operation of that agency. It is recognized that the standards included in the program do not reflect the maximum amount that can be done by an agency in any one area. They are also not minimum standards.

In short, law enforcement accreditation is a progressive and time-proven way of helping police agencies calculate and improve their overall performances. The foundation of accreditation lies in the promulgation of standards containing a clear statement of professional objectives. Participating agencies conduct a thorough self-analysis to determine how existing operations can be adapted to meet these objectives. When the procedures are in place, a team of trained assessors verifies that applicable standards have been successfully implemented. The process culminates with a decision by an executive commission that the agency has met the requirements for accreditation.

Accredited status represents a significant professional achievement. Accreditation acknowledges the implementation of policies and procedures that are conceptually sound and operationally effective.  Law enforcement executives that choose to have their agencies accredited under this voluntary program have examined all aspects of their operation. They have made conscious decisions about policies and procedures that fit the law enforcement requirements of their jurisdictions and have implemented those policies and trained their employees in their use.

Accreditation does not reflect that one law enforcement agency provides better law enforcement services to its community than that of a non-accredited agency. What it does reflect is that the accredited agency was carefully measured against an established set of standards and has met or exceeded accepted practices in the field of law enforcement.

The NJSACOP introduced the New Jersey Law Enforcement Accreditation Program to our state in November 2002.  Since then, over seventy law enforcement agencies have enrolled in the program and two agencies have attained accredited status.  An additional half dozen have been assessed and are about to be accredited, with another half dozen about to undergo assessment.

Why law enforcement accreditation?  In today’s complex society, police agencies are subject to continuous scrutiny from the courts, press and the public. In this environment, agencies must have their policies up to date and supported with detailed training records for each officer. This is no small task. Many police agencies are now seeking accreditation as a way of assuring the public that the agency meets the highest standards for professionalism, training and discipline—exactly what everyone expects from our law enforcement officers.

The New Jersey Law Enforcement Accreditation Program was designed and developed by professional law enforcement executives to provide a reasonable and cost effective plan for the professionalization of law enforcement agencies within the state. The underlying philosophy of the program is to have a user-friendly undertaking for the departments that will result in a “success” oriented outcome.

Accreditation benefits our communities in more ways than one.  According to the New Jersey Municipal Excess Liability Joint Insurance Fund [“MEL”], accredited agencies have 11% fewer police professional liability claims, 18% fewer workers compensation claims and 31% fewer auto liability claims.  Moreover, municipalities that participate in a MEL-affiliated Joint Insurance Fund stand to receive substantial insurance premium discounts when their police department attains accreditation.

The NJSACOP and the national Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) entered into a formal alliance in late 2002.  The NJSACOP adopted the 97 standards of CALEA’s core recognition program and added 49 additional standards.  The NJSACOP accreditation program currently has a total of 146 standards that must be complied with.  The alliance with CALEA is a partnership that benefits both organizations and law enforcement in New Jersey.  Departments that attain state accreditation through the NJSACOP are eligible for national recognition without need for a further assessment.

Accreditation is for a period of three years. To maintain accredited status, the agency must submit an annual report to the NJSACOP accreditation commission attesting to continued compliance and reporting changes or difficulties experienced during the year. Before the end of the three-year period, the agency must apply to have its accreditation renewed. The NJSACOP will conduct another on-site assessment to confirm the agency’s continued compliance.

In addition to the above-mentioned fiscal advantages, there are other important benefits of accreditation:

• Stronger defense against lawsuits and citizen complaints: Accredited agencies are

better able to defend themselves against lawsuits and citizen complaints.

• Strong support from government officials: Accreditation provides objective evidence of  an agency’s commitment to excellence in leadership, resource management, and service-delivery.
• Government officials are more confident in the agency’s ability to operate efficiently and meet community needs.
• Increased community advocacy: Accreditation embodies the precepts of community-oriented policing. It creates a forum in which police and citizens work together to prevent and control challenges confronting law enforcement and provides clear direction about community expectations.
• Greater accountability within the agency: Accreditation standards give the chief a proven management system of written directives, sound training, clearly defined lines of authority, and routine reports that support decision-making and resource allocation.
• Job Satisfaction: Officers in accredited agencies are able to take pride that they have been objectively recognized for their professionalism and adherence to the highest standards.

Ultimately, the decision as to whether or not to pursue Accreditation should be made by the Chief of Police in consultation with the municipality’s elected and appointed officials, based upon the needs and goals of the department and the community.  Departments that do choose to pursue accreditation can expect consistent support from the NJSACOP, including on-site technical assistance, model policies, training and networking opportunities for both the Chief and the department’s accreditation manager.  Experience shows that when the formal presentation of the Accreditation Certificate is made at a public meeting, everyone involved – the police officers, the Chief, the governing body, and the public – feel well-deserved sense of pride and achievement in their police department and their community.