North Brunswick Police Department receives Certificate of Re-Accreditation

December 4, 2024

At the December 2 Township Council Meeting, the North Brunswick Police Department received a certificate of Re-Accreditation from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP).

“Achieving this accreditation through our third cycle is pretty remarkable,” Police Chief Joseph Battaglia said. “That just reaffirms the department’s dedication of upholding the highest standards in law enforcement. It reflects on the hard work and resilience and the teamwork of every member of this department as well as the trust and support of our community.”

He extended his gratitude to the NJSACOP for “providing the framework and guidance to ensure we remain the model agency” and Lieutenant Ryan Uzunis, who manages and oversees the department’s accreditation program.

Harry Delgado, NJSACOP’s Accreditation Program Director, said the police department’s second re-accreditation puts them in an “elite” group of law enforcement agencies, as less than 12 percent of all agencies in New Jersey have reached this status.

“They are really in an exclusive and remarkable group,” Delgado said.

He said the department has received this status “demonstrating Chief Battaglia’s firm commitment to remain on track with state and national standards and the continued expectations for quality, professional and ethical policing.”

During the in person assessment, Delgado said the assessors were so impressed with what they saw, based on the adverse circumstances the department had to overcome after police headquarters was flooded following Hurricane Ida in September 2021.

The department continued operations out of rented office space, borrowed police vehicles, portable trailers and certain refurbished areas of the building.

“The entire agency should be commended for their resiliency and ability to make it work during these difficult circumstances,” Delgado said. “Their ability to perform regular duties while retaining accreditation status is just simply exemplary.”

Battaglia said the department’s policies, training, preparation and leadership “were crucial in navigating this crisis.”