What is Accreditation?

The Hamilton Township Police Department achieved accreditation on June 10,2009 by the New jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police Accreditation Commission.

Accreditation is the ongoing process whereby agencies evaluate policy and procedure against established criteria verified by an independent and authoritative body. The accreditation process requires an in-depth review of every aspect of the agency’s organization, management, operations, and administration to include:

• Establishment of agency goals and objectives with provisions for periodic updating;
 

• Re-evaluation of whether agency resources are being used in accord with agency goals, objectives, and mission;
 

• Re-evaluation of agency policies and procedures, especially as documented in the agency’s written directive system;
 

• Correction of internal deficiencies and inefficiencies before they becomes public problems;

Accreditation requires that agency policies and procedures are in written form and are available to all agency personnel at all times. Accreditation policies address officer safety issues and provide for adequate training and equipment of the officers. Accreditation increases cooperation and coordination with other law enforcement agencies and other branches of the criminal justice system.