Tonight the Bergen County Board of Commissioners recognized the Bergen County Communications Center after it received police agency accreditation from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police and the New Jersey Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission.

The accreditation, awarded after an almost two-year review of policies and training, “ensures that our communications center operates with integrity, accountability, and efficiency,” Chairwoman Amoroso said during the meeting at the Bergen County Justice Center.

The accreditation process required the Communications Center to review and update policies, improve training, and meet statewide standards for public-safety communications. Director Charles Schwartz, who led the county agency through the process, credited county leadership and staff for support and noted the “heavy lift” required to meet standards. “I can’t tell you how much it means to me that I know that when I go to you, you understand how important these things are,” Schwartz said.

A representative of the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, speaking at the meeting, said the Bergen County Communications Center achieved a “perfect on-site assessment” and joined a small number of regional centers with initial accreditation. County Executive James Tedesco and Administrator Tom Dutch were cited by staff and speakers for supporting the effort.

Commissioners praised the three-year accreditation status as evidence of professionalism and stronger interagency cooperation. Several commissioners asked that the department convey appreciation to staff who continue to operate dispatch and emergency communications while the commission celebrated the award.

No formal policy change or budget vote accompanied the recognition; the board presented proclamations and a certificate of accreditation to Director Schwartz and members of his staff at the meeting.

The county said the accreditation must be maintained; speakers noted ongoing reviews and reporting will be required to preserve the status.

The recognition followed the clerk’s reading of the Senator Byron Bair Open Public Meetings Act at the meeting’s opening.

Local officials said the accreditation is intended to strengthen resident trust and support shared-service agreements with other municipalities that use Bergen County dispatch services.