Bergen County Sheriff’s Office Invites Public Comment for Upcoming Accreditation Assessment

Hackensack, N.J. – A team of assessors from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP) will arrive on Monday, February 24, 2020, to examine all aspects of the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office policies and procedures, management, operations, and support services Sheriff Anthony Cureton announced today.

“Receiving verification that the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office meets the Commission’s ‘best practice’ standards is part of a voluntary process to achieve accreditation, a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence,” said Sheriff Cureton.

As part of this final on-site assessment, employees and members of the general public are invited to provide comments to the assessment team.  They may do so by telephone or email.  The public may call (201) 336-3505 on February 24, 2020 between the hours of 1:00pm-2:00pm.  Email comments can be sent to lbarbosa@bcsd.us.

Telephone comments are limited to 5 minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with the NJSACOP standards.  A copy of the standards is available for inspection at the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office at Two Bergen County Plaza, Hackensack, NJ 07601.  Please contact Sergeant Lauren Barbosa at 201-336-3553.

Anyone wishing to offer written comments about the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office’s ability to comply with the standards for accreditation is requested to email the Accreditation Program Director at hdelgado@njsacop.org or write the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission at 751 Route 73 North, Suite 12, Marlton, N.J. 08053.

The Bergen County Sheriff’s Office must comply with NJSACOP LEAP standards in order to achieve accredited status.  Sheriff Cureton indicated, “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.”

The Accreditation Program Director for the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police is Mr. Harry J Delgado, Ed.S.  “The assessment team is composed of law enforcement practitioners from similar New Jersey law enforcement agencies.  The assessors will review written materials, interview agency members, and visit offices and other places where compliance with the standards can be observed.  Once the Commission’s assessors complete their review of the agency, they will report to the full Commission, which will then decide if the agency is to be granted accredited status,” Harry J Delgado stated.

Accreditation is valid for a three-year period during which time the agency must submit annual reports attesting to their continued compliance with those standards under which it was initially accredited.

The New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police through its New Jersey Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission is the legitimate authority and accreditation agency in the state of New Jersey. For more information regarding the Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission please write the Commission at New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission at 751 Route 73 North, Suite 12 Marlton, N.J. 08053 or email hdelgado@njsacop.org.