Public input sought as Morris County Emergency Communications Center seeks accreditation
Public Comment Invited on Accreditation Assessment of Morris County Emergency Communications Center
MORRIS COUNTY, NJ – Public input is being invited on Thursday, Feb. 23, when the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP) will examine all aspects of the Morris County Emergency Communications Center’s policies and procedures, management, operations and support services to assess whether it meets the standards for accreditation.
NJSACOP, through its New Jersey Law Enforcement Communications Accreditation Commission, is the legitimate authority and accreditation agency in the state of New Jersey. The Morris County Communications Center must comply with NJSACOP standards in order to achieve accredited status.
“Verification that the Morris Communications Center meets the Commission’s ‘best practices’ standards is part of a voluntary process to achieve accreditation, a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence,” said Emergency Communications Center Director Michael Peoples in announcing the assessment Wednesday.
As part of the final on-site assessment, agency employees and the public are invited to provide comments to a NJSACOP assessor, either by telephone or email. The public may call 973-682-4917 on February 23, 2023, between the hours of 10:00 am –11:00 am. Email comments may be sent to Director Peoples at mpeoples@co.morris.nj.us.
Telephone comments are limited to five minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with the NJSACOP Public Safety Communications Centers standards. Contact Director Peoples at 973-285-2942 for information about the standards.
Anyone wishing to offer written comments about the Morris County Communications Center’s ability to comply with the standards for accreditation is requested to email the Accreditation Program Director at hdelgado@njsacop.org or write to the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission at 751 Route 73 North, Suite 12 Marlton, N.J. 08053.
“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,” said Director Peoples.
Harry J Delgado, Ed.S. is the Accreditation Program Director for NJSACOP.
“The assessment team is composed of emergency communications practitioners from similar New Jersey 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 assessor completes 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,” Delgado said.
Accreditation is valid for a three-year period during which time the agency must submit annual reports attesting to its continued compliance with those standards under which it was initially accredited.
For more information regarding the Law Enforcement Communications Accreditation Commission write the Commission at New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, Law Enforcement Public Safety Communications Accreditation Commission at 751 Route 73 North, Suite 12 Marlton, N.J. 08053 or email hdelgado@njsacop.org.
