Accreditation
An accreditation program has long been recognized as a means of maintaining the highest standards of professionalism. Accreditation is the certification by an independent reviewing authority that an organization has met specific requirements and prescribed standards.
The Hopewell Township Police Department received our initial accreditation on March 9th, 2017 through the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJASCOP) Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission.
Accreditation is a progressive and time proven way of helping law enforcement agencies maintain the best practices within this profession. 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. Accreditation status represents a significant professional achievement. Accreditation acknowledges the implementation of policies and procedures that are conceptually sound and operationally effective.
The benefits of accreditation are many, including Accountability, Reduced Risk and Liability Exposure, Stronger Defense Against Civil Lawsuits, and Increased Community Support. Accreditation enhances community understanding of the law enforcement agency and its role in the community, as well as its goals and objectives. Citizen confidence in the policies and practices of the agency is increased.
For the Chief, accreditation increases cooperation and coordination with other law enforcement agencies and other branches of the criminal justice system. The accreditation process requires an in depth review of every aspect of the agency’s organization to include:
- Policies and Procedures
- Management
- Operations
- Support Services
Accreditation is a coveted award that symbolizes professionalism, excellence and competence. Employees will take pride in their agency, knowing that it represents the very best in law enforcement.
The Hopewell Township Police Department has maintained its accreditation status through re-accreditation in 2020 and 2023. We continue to be a recognized accredited law enforcement agency.
