Ridgewood December 19, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 7 Village police now seeking reaccreditation by John Koster The Ridgewood Police Department, which has been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies since 1996, is now seeking renewed accreditation. The public was invited to provide relevant comments. An assessment team accepted phone calls, and a public hearing was held at Ridgewood Village Hall on Dec. 17. The team members were Chief Thomas E. Bennett of the Suffolk (Virginia) Police Department, and Captain Sean Kelly of the Durham (New Hampshire) Police Department. They have now returned to report to the full commission to determine if the Ridgewood force should be reaccredited. The Ridgewood Police Department was honored as a “flagship” agency -- one of the best evaluated during that period -- during the most recent reassessment in 2010. The team that assessed Ridgewood at that time applauded the Several of the Solar Cell team members attended the New Jersey Inventors Hall Fame banquet to witness their chemistry/physics teacher, Dr. Lillian Labowsky, receive the Advanced Invention Award for the solar cell work at Ridgewood High School. In attendance were several of New Jersey’s distinguished scientists, including current Secretary of Energy and 1997 Nobel Laureate in Physics Dr. Stephen Chu. This was the first time high school students were invited to attend the banquet. The students were acknowledged and asked to come to the podium to receive special gifts. Front row: Students Elizabeth Kopec, Robin Smith, Bridget McElory, and Anna Teresa O’Keefe. Back row: Gus Kelty, Dr. Labowsky, and Graham Jones. Educator recognized officers’ obvious dedication to the community. Any residents who have further comments may contact the Commission on Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies, 13575 Heathcote Boulevard, Suite 320, Gainesville, Virginia, 20155. The accreditation program requires agencies to comply with over 100 standards that represent the best practices in law enforcement. The accreditation process is rigorous and includes a close examination of the agency’s written directive system, operation, and facility. The team of assessors from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police in alliance with CALEA are charged with examining all aspects of the police department’s policy and procedures, management, operations, and support services. The assessment is part of a voluntary process to gain law enforcement accreditation status, which is considered is a highly prized recognition of professional excellence. The assessors review written materials, interview individuals, and visit offices and other places where compliance (continued on page 27)