Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on Thursday, April 3, 2025 and Friday, April 4, 2025, a team of assessors from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP) will examine all aspects of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office policies and procedures, management, operations, and support services. Verification by the NJSACOP team that the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office 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.
“The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office was originally accredited in 2012, and re-accredited in 2015, 2019 and 2022. This will be the Prosecutor’s Offices fifth voluntary accreditation process. It is a significant milestone to achieve and maintain accreditation and be recognized as an agency that continually follows “best practices” in law enforcement while serving the citizens of Ocean County,” Prosecutor Billhimer stated.
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 the Accreditation Team at 732-929-2027, extension 5121, on Friday, April 4, 2025, between the hours of 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Email comments may be sent to Accreditation Manager Carmen Gagliano at cgagliano@co.ocean.nj.us.
Telephone comments are limited to 5 minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with the NJSACOP standards. A copy of the standards is available for inspection at the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, 119 Hooper Avenue, Toms River, New Jersey. Please contact Accreditation Manager Gagliano for more information in that regard.
Anyone wishing to submit written comments about the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office ability to comply with the standards for accreditation may send them to Harry J Delgado, Accreditation Program Director, New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission, 751 Route 73 North, Suite 12, Marlton, NJ 08053, or email Mr. Delgado at hdelgado@njsacop.org.
“The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office must comply with 112 standards in order to achieve accredited status,” Prosecutor Billhimer indicated. “The NJSACOP has created the standards that meet the “best practices” for law enforcement agencies. Abiding by those standards reduces the potential for civil liability for the County, while simultaneously increasing accountability within the Office. Maintaining adherence to these standards helps the office operate efficiently and provide the best service possible to the communities we serve,” Prosecutor Billhimer concluded.
Accreditation Program Director Delgado likewise noted: “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 may be observed. Once the Commission’s assessors complete their review of the agency, they will report back to the full Commission, which will then decide if the agency is to be granted accredited status.”
Accreditation is valid for a three-year period, during which time the agency must submit annual reports attesting to their continued compliance with those standards under which it was initially accredited.
The NJSACOP – through its Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission – is the legitimate authority and accreditation agency in the State of New Jersey. For more information regarding the Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission, please direct inquiries to the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission, 751 Route 73 North, Suite 12, Marlton, NJ 08053.