Ocean County Prosecutor's Office seeks accreditation status

Since being sworn into office in 2018, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer has overseen hundreds of arrests and investigations and working to ensure that everything is being done lawfully and effectively.

Prosecutor Billhimer and his teams at the OCPO have also worked to rid the streets of drugs and arrest those responsible for dealing with this poison as well as developing programs to combat drug use and provide opportunities for rehabilitation including 'Blue Hope' and 'Operation Helping Hand' developed and rolled out in 2020.

In addition, they've introduced other programs based on curbing the substance abuse/drug epidemic in Ocean County, including the 'First Step Program' and the 'Michael Camillus Project' in early 2021.

Other projects, initiatives outside of the drug epidemic, include raising awareness and education efforts on the dangers of drinking and driving.

The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office joined with the Ocean County Health Department and even former New York Giants SuperBowl offensive-lineman David Diehl in 2020, to express how drinking and driving is a choice, not an option.

Outside of the crime portion of their office, the OCPO has also come up with programs to help our youth.

Sometimes kids are witnesses to a crime, an arrest, or a dangerous situation that could leave them with emotional scars.

In 2020, the OCPO came up with what's known as 'Ocean County Cares' to work with schools and follow up with children who were exposed to a crime, and make sure that they're doing okay.

Here in 2022, Prosecutor Billhimer and OCPO Detective-Sgt. Melissa Rose helped roll out the 'Ocean County Special Needs Registry' which will help police, firefighters, ems, and others interact and be there for members of our community who may have a developmental or intellectual disability.

Keep these programs in mind over the next week.

Prosecutor Billhimer has announced that on Tuesday, March 29, and Wednesday, March 30, there will be a team of assessors from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police examining Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office policies and procedures, management, operations, and support services as the OCPO looks to earn accreditation status in meeting "best practice" standards.

“The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office was originally accredited in 2012, and re-accredited in 2015 and 2019. This will be the Prosecutor’s Office's fourth 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 people of Ocean County,” Prosecutor Billhimer said in a written statement.

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You have a role to play as well, as the public is invited to provide comments to the assessment team by calling (609) 929-1386, on Wednesday, March 30, 2022, between the hours of 11:00 am and 12:00 pm or emailing the Accreditation Manager Gagliano at cgagliano@co.ocean.nj.us.

You can also submit written comments about the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office's ability to comply with the standards for accreditation 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 by email at hdelgado@njsacop.org .

“The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office must comply with 112 standards in order to achieve accredited status,” Prosecutor Billhimer said. “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 community."

Accreditation Program Director Delgado said, in a written statement: "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.”