GARWOOD — The Garwood Police Departmentwasrecognizedforcompleting arigorousaccreditationprogram duringameetingofthebourough’smayor and council on Thursday.
According to the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP) website, accreditation is “a progressive and time-proven method of assisting law enforcement agencies to calculate and improve their overall performance. The foundation of Accreditation lies in the adoption of standards containing a clear statement of professional objectives.Accredited status represents a significant professional achievement. Accreditation acknowledges the implementation of policies and procedures that are conceptually sound and operationally effective.”
On Thursday, Harry Delgado, director of the New Jersey StateAssociation of Chiefs of Police Law Enforcement Accreditation Program, stated that only 54 percent of New Jersey’s 570 law enforcement agencies achieve accreditation. The Garwood Police Department joined those ranks in March after a two-year process.
“The Garwood Police Department has made a commitment to adhering to best practices at the state and national level in a highly-regarded statewide law enforcement accreditation program,” said Mr. Delgado. “In these uniquely challenging times and with the threat to health and safety, encouraging law enforcement agencies to follow standardized practices and policies is a potentially life-saving and costeffective investment of time and resources.”
Mr. Delgado also stated that police departments that receive accreditation typically experience 11 percent fewer police professional-liability claims, 11 percent fewer workers’ compensation claims, and 31 percent fewer auto-liability claims. “Under the leadership of Chief Douglas Stoffer, the Garwood Police Department is committed to providing the best services to the residents, commuters, businesses and consumers,” said Mr. Delgado. “With a change of technology and the demands of the state law, they are committed to providing the best practices in law enforcement to keep everyone safe and protected.”
After accepting the accreditation, Chief Stoffer took some time to thank Mr. Delgado for his remarks, the men and women of the Garwood Police Department, and others who helped along the way.
“Captain [Samuel] Rocco, your hard work over the last couple of years to get this done was remarkable, especially with some of the adversity that were facing us with manpower and everything else,” he said.
Mayor Jennifer Blumenstock also thanked the police department for its members’ hard work achieving accreditation.
“It is truly an honor to be able to say that our department is accredited, and I know, as Director Delgado said, it gives the elected officials up here a sense of safety that our department is following the highest ethical standards and procedures. We just couldn’t be prouder — we really couldn’t, so thank you so much.”
