West Trenton, N.J. - The New Jersey State Police is in the midst of a tough assessment to achieve nationally recognized accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc., (CALEA®). Out of state representatives are coming to perform a five-day, on-site assessment beginning April 22, 2007.

An important part of the assessment, agency employees and New Jersey residents are invited to offer comments by telephone at a public opinion session scheduled for Monday, April 23, 2007, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon. Members of the visiting assessment team will be taking the calls. The toll free line for this purpose is 1(800)792-8314. Telephone comments are limited to 10 minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with the commission’s standards. (The subjects covered by the standards are listed at the bottom of this release.) The rigorous process will also include examinations of stations, evidence management, communications, training and administration facilities.

“CALEA accreditation is considered to be the gold standard for police performance. In the pursuit of excellence, we welcome this high level of scrutiny and accountability, and we look forward to be sharpened in the process,” said Colonel Rick Fuentes, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police.

Created in 1979, the credentialing authority compares its approved agencies to the best practices in the industry and continuously raises that bar. The program requires agencies to meet standards in four basic areas: policy and procedures, administration, operations and support services.

CALEA is a joint effort of law enforcement’s major executive associations including:

• International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP)
• National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE)
• National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA)
• Police Executive Research Forum (PERF)

The standards address nine major law enforcement subjects including:

• role, responsibilities, and relationships with other agencies
• organization, management and administration
• personnel structure
• personnel process
• operations
• operational support
• traffic operations
• prisoner and court-related activities
• auxiliary and technical services

Anyone wishing to submit written comments about New Jersey State Police Division’s ability to comply with the standards for accreditation may send them to the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc., 10302 Eaton Place, Suite 100, Fairfax, VA 22030.

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