(a) Applications for accreditation shall be submitted by the chief of police of the law enforcement agency applying and with the approval of the chief elected officer of the municipality in which the applicant agency is located. If there is no chief elected officer, applications may be approved by the local governing body. The requirement to seek approval from the chief elected officer of a municipality shall not apply to a sheriff who is both a countywide elected official and the highest ranking officer in the applicant agency. The application process may additionally require the law enforcement agency to submit background information as deemed necessary and appropriate by the council.
(b) There shall be no direct application fees or other charges imposed on law enforcement agencies desiring to participate in the program. The Division of Criminal Justice Services shall provide program manuals, technical assistance and other resource materials as available at no cost to the law enforcement agency.