The Princeton Police Department and its Public Safety Communications Center have been awarded accreditation by the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police.
This is the Public Safety Communications Center’s initial accreditation, but the fifth time that the Princeton Police Department has gained accredited status. Its initial accreditation occurred in 2014 and it maintained its accredit status in 2017, 2020 and 2023.
Harry Delgado, the NJSACOP’s accreditation manager, presented plaques acknowledging those achievements to the Princeton Council. Accreditation is valid for three years.
It is a privilege to recognize the Princeton Police Department for achieving reaccreditation by the NJSACOP and the initial accreditation of the Public Safety Communications Center, Delgado said.
“This is a very elite group because there are only 11 agencies in the entire state that actually enjoy accreditation on the law enforcement side as well as the communications side,” Delgado said.
The dual achievement reflects a sustained commitment to professional excellence across two closely connected responsibilities – delivering quality police services and ensuring that calls for assistance receive an effective coordinated response, he said.
“Achieving accreditation in both programs recognizes the importance that Princeton places on the entire continuum of services. This prestigious accreditation status demonstrates the police chief’s firm commitment to state and national standards,” Delgado said.
Overall, only 8% of all law enforcement agencies have been reaccredited for a fourth time – and the Princeton Police Department has maintained its accreditation status through five cycles, he said.
Police Chief Matthew Solovay said accreditation is something that the Princeton Police Department truly believes in. It provides the police department with a framework of best practices and ensures that it is consistently meeting rigorous standards of excellence.
Solovay thanked the police officers who uphold those standards every day and who continue to demonstrate the level of professionalism and excellence that the Princeton Police Department has become known for.
Solovay also praised police Detective Sergeant Michael Strobel, who is the Princeton Police Department’s accreditation manager. He prepares the police department for the accreditation process.
“We are extremely proud of these accomplishments, but our work doesn’t stop here. We are well under way in our next three-year cycle and we remain committed to maintaining the high standards that our community expects,” Solovay said.
The NJSACOP’s assessment team is made up of law enforcement officers from similar law enforcement agencies, Delgado said. The team examined all aspects of the Princeton Police Department’s policies and procedures, management, operations and support services.
Once the assessment team completes its review of a police department, it reports to the full commission, which in turn decides whether a police department should be granted accreditation status.
