The Fair Lawn Police Department has drafted 10 of the 40 policies required in its accreditation process and is scheduled to be finished by October, Lt. Ronald Patterson said.

Attaining Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) recognition entails setting up regulations to make officers' handling of specific incidents more uniform. Once the department receives accreditation, it can reduce it's liability factors for insurance.

CALEA aims "to improve the delivery of public safety services" by "maintaining a body of standards" and "covering a wide range of up-to-date public safety initiatives," its website says.

Patterson delivered a status report to Borough Council members Tuesday. Police Chief Erik Rose said clarifying procedures won't end with accreditation.

"Once you've started it, you never stop," Rose said.

Giving an example of a new police policy, Patterson said the department's hierarchy from the chief on down is being put into writing "so everybody is on the same page." Rose said officers' requirement to check the seats of police cars for drugs and other items after making an arrest must now be spelled out clearly in their reports.