Barnegat Police Seek Public Input For Accreditation

BARNEGAT, NJ — The Barnegat Township Police Department is inviting the public to give comment on Monday to an assessment team that is reviewing the police department for its accreditation.

A team of assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) is scheduled to arrive Monday, July 12 for an on-site review of “all aspects of the Barnegat Police Department’s policy, procedures, management, operations, and support services,” Chief Keith Germain said.

Barnegat would remain the only CALEA accredited police department in Ocean County if they achieve accreditation, and one of only nine municipal police departments in New Jersey to have the accreditation.

“Verification by the assessment team that the Barnegat Police Department meets the Commission’s state-of-the-art standards is part of a voluntary process to maintain international accreditation- a highly coveted recognition of law enforcement professional excellence,” Germain said.

As part of the on-site assessment, members of the community are invited to offer comments at a public information session to be held on Monday, July 12 at 5:30 p.m.

The session will be held in the Barnegat Township Recreation Center located at 900 West Bay Ave. Remote access via Zoom will also be available. The link for Zoom access will be posted on both the Barnegat police Facebook page and on the Barnegat police website.

Any individuals who want to comment but are unable to attend the session can participate in the telephone call-in session on Monday from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on Monday, July 12. Interested participants can reach the assessors at 609-467-0151.

Anyone wishing to offer written comments with regards to the Barnegat Police Department’s ability to meet the standards for accreditation may write to the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) 13575 Heathcote Blvd, Suite 320 Gainesville, Virginia 20155.

Telephone comments as well as appearances at the public information session are limited to 10 minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with the accreditation standards. A copy of the standards is available upon request from the department. Interested individuals can contact the Accreditation Manager, Lieutenant Jeffrey Ryan at 609-698-5000, ext. 220.

The Barnegat Police Department must comply with a total of 181 standards in order to achieve accreditation.

The CALEA assessment team is composed of law enforcement practitioners from similar, but out of state agencies. The assessors will review written materials, interview employees, and observe agency assets and locations where compliance can be witnessed.

Once the assessors complete their review, they will report back to the full commission, who will decide if the agency is to be granted accredited status.

The CALEA assessment team will be comprised of team leader Chief Jacqui Boykin, of the Zebulon Police Department located in North Carolina and assessor Ms. Lynn Odenthal, of the Dublin Police Department located in Ohio.

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