Mount Laurel police belong to a group of less than 1.5% of all law-enforcement agencies who attain a fifth re-accreditation status.
The Mount Laurel Police Department has received its fifth consecutive three-year re-accreditation status from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police.
“This is a very big deal,” said Mayor Fazio Janjua at the Nov. 18 council meeting.
Harry Delgado, accreditation program director for the association, presented a plaque and recognized Chief Timothy Hudnall’s leadership and the entire department for achieving that status. Out of all law-enforcement agencies in New Jersey that apply, 54% make accreditation the first time; 32% make it the second time; 12% make it the third; 7.8% the fourth; and 6% the fifth.
“If you do the math, you can put the Mount Laurel Police Department in an elite group,” Delgado noted. “They belong to a group of less than 1.5% of all the agencies in New Jersey of agencies accredited.”
Delgado acknowledged the department under the leadership of Hudnall for its commitment and longevity when it comes to best practices not only in the state, but on the national level. He highlighted some of the assessor’s comments in the reaccreditation status report, from consistently demonstrating a commitment to transparency and accountability to revamping hiring practices of underrepresented populations.
“To be accredited five times is just so impressive,” Janjua observed. “We are just so grateful to have you guys in our town. We want you to know that we here on council truly appreciate you and recognize the work that you do.”
“We are honored to serve our residents, businesses, and visitors by consistently adopting and upholding best practices in law enforcement,” the police department noted in a social-media post. “This achievement reflects our dedication to maintaining the highest standards for our community.”
