RARITAN TOWNSHIP, NJ (Hunterdon County) — A team of assessors from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP) will be conducting an assessment of the Raritan Township Police Department on Monday, May 12. The assessors will review all aspects of the department’s policies, procedures, management, operations, and support services, Chief Alfred Payne said.
“Verification by the team that the Raritan Township Police Department meets the Commission’s ‘best practice’ standards is part of a voluntary process to achieve accreditation, which is a highly respected recognition of law enforcement excellence,” Chief Payne said.
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 908-788-9364 on Monday, May 12, 2025, between 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM. Email comments can be sent to accreditation@raritantwppolice.org.
Telephone comments are limited to 5 minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with the NJSACOP standards. For information about the standards, contact Lt. Scott Nelson at 908-782-8889.
Written comments about the Raritan Township Police Department’s ability to comply with the standards for accreditation can be emailed to the Accreditation Program Director at hdelgado@njsacop.org or sent by mail to the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission, 751 Route 73 North, Suite 12, Marlton, NJ 08053.
In order to achieve accredited status, the Raritan Township Police Department must meet NJSACOP Law Enforcement Accreditation Program (LEAP) standards. Chief Payne stated, “Accreditation results in greater accountability within the agency, reduced risk and liability exposure, stronger defense against civil lawsuits, increased community advocacy, and greater 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,” Harry J. Delgado said. “Once the assessors complete their review, they will report to the full Commission, which will then decide if the agency is to be granted accredited status.”
Accreditation is valid for three years, after which the agency must submit annual reports to confirm continued compliance with the 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 recognized authority and accreditation agency in the state of New Jersey. For more information about the Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission, please contact the Commission at New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission, 751 Route 73 North, Suite 12, Marlton, NJ 08053 or email hdelgado@njsacop.org or call 732-354-6355.
