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August 4, 2005

Department is 1 of 6 in state to receive highest ranking

For the third consecutive time, the Woodbridge Township Police Department has received national accreditation, Mayor Frank G. Pelzman has announced.

The distinction comes from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). “National accreditation means our police department has met the highest standards of law enforcement,” says Mayor Pelzman.

Woodbridge is one of only six police departments in New Jersey to be nationally accredited. Accreditation is a voluntary process, during which the agency must submit annual reports attesting to continued compliance with the standards under which it was initially accredited. The Woodbridge Township Police Department was first accredited in 1999 and re-applies for accreditation every three years.

In order to achieve accredited status, the department undergoes a rigorous on-site inspection by a team of independent inspectors and must comply with 446 standards. The inspection examines all aspects of the department’s policies and procedures, management, operations and support services.

“Verification that the department meets these state-of-the-art standards is a highly prized recognition of professional excellence in law enforcement,” says Woodbridge Township Police Chief William Trenery .

The CALEA report characterized the Woodbridge Township Police Department as “a very proactive community-oriented agency that seeks to remain on the cutting edge of service” and accorded special recognition to the department’s innovative video arraignment system, minority recruitment program, victim witness services, domestic violence response team and youth outreach activities. In particular, the report noted that the department “enjoys a high level of community trust and support.”

Applying for the triennial accreditation fits perfectly with the Township’s commitment to maintaining full-scale professionalism in its police department, says Mayor Pelzman. “Having our Department measured against nationally recognized standards is a great benefit to the entire community.”