The annual inspection took place on Tuesday, Jan. 17.
Each year, the state Department of Corrections inspects municipal detention facilities. On Tuesday, Jan. 17, this annual inspection took place at the Medford Township Police Department and determined that the department was in full compliance with state requirements.
“[Our department] always wants to be in full compliance and without adjustments needing to be made,” Chief of Police Richard Meder said. “I was confident that we would be in compliance.”
Located within the Medford Township Police Department, there are five jail cells department staff inspect daily. Each year, when the Department of Corrections assesses these cells, it checks to ensure they are all in good working condition, that the necessary paperwork is in order and that the policies in place meet all statutory requirements set forth by the state.
Although every department within the state is required to undergo these annual inspections, the Medford Township Police Department prides itself on its daily commitment to making sure all cells are operating sufficiently, clean and with working alarms, Meder said. He explained that this is and has always been a top priority.
A letter from the director of the state’s office of Community Programs and Outreach Services, addressed to Meder, congratulated him and the department on their achievement. The department was also commended for its efforts made in preparation for the inspection. According to the letter, the hard work and dedication of the department’s staff was evident to the members of the inspection team, and they felt the department deserved special recognition.
“That makes me very proud of our police department and clearly the leadership of our police department ” said Mayor Chuck Watson, who commended the department at the Feb. 7 Town Council meeting. “Not only were we full compliance, but we handled the inspection in a great way.”
