Fort Lee Police Department Seeks Accreditation From State Assessors

A team of assessors from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP) will come to Fort Lee on Sunday, Nov. 18 “to examine all aspects of the Fort Lee Police Department’s policies and procedures, management, operations and support services,” Fort Lee Police Chief Thomas Ripoli announced Thursday.

“Verification by the team that the Fort Lee Police Department meets the Commission’s ‘best practice’ standards is part of a voluntary process to achieve accreditation, a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence,” Ripoli said in a statement.

As part of the on-site assessment, agency employees and members of the community are invited to offer comments to the accreditation assessors, which can be done by calling 201-592-3700 on Monday, Nov. 19 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., police said.

Telephone comments are limited to five minutes and must address the police department’s compliance with the NJSACOP standards. A copy of the standards is available at the Fort Lee Police Department located at 1325 16th Street in Fort Lee. 

The local contact is Det. Michele Morgenstern, who can be reached at 201-592-3700, ext. 5232.

If you prefer to submit written comments about the Fort Lee Police Department’s compliance with the standards, you can mail them to the following address:

New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police,

Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission

One Greentree Centre, Suite 201

Marlton, NJ 08053

“The assessment team is composed of law enforcement practitioners from similar New Jersey law enforcement agencies,” said NJSACOP Accreditation Program Manager Harry J Delgado. “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 assessors complete 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.”

Accreditation is valid for three years; the agency must submit annual reports during that time “attesting to their continued compliance with those standards under which it was initially accredited,” police said.

Requests for more information on the Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission can be submitted in writing to the address above.