Accreditation
POLICE ACCREDITATION
Purpose of AccreditationThe overall goal of the Accreditation program is to improve the delivery of law enforcement services to the community it supports. Like all organizations, the Johnson City Police Department continually looks for ways to upgrade its policies and procedures. No matter how effective daily operations are, there is always room for improvement.
Why Accreditation?
Although new to the law enforcement field, universities, hospitals and other professional organizations have, for many years, undergone similar accreditation processes to prove compliance with a set of professional, nationwide standards. Accreditation serves to distinguish participating organizations as having met professional standards of conduct and service.
As in other professional organizations, those in law enforcement recognized the need to develop professional standards. Accordingly, the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies was formed in 1979 to establish a body of standards intended to increase efficiency, effectiveness and accountability in law enforcement organizations. The Commission is a joint effort of four respected organizations, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, the National Sheriff’s Association, and the Police Executive Research Forum. The Commission formulated over 900 standards covering all areas of law enforcement to constitute the first edition of the Manual of Standards for Law Enforcement Agencies.
What are the Standards Addressed?
*Role, responsibility and relationship with other agencies.
*Organization, management and administration
*Law enforcement operations, operational support, criminal investigation and traffic enforcement
*Prisoner Transport and Court Security
*Records and Property Management
*Communications and Technical Services.
What are the benefits of accreditation?
*Nationwide recognition of professional excellence
*Community understanding and support
*Pro-active management systems, policies, and procedures documented
*Liability litigations are reduced
*Enhances the morale of department personnel
*Adherence to law enforcement standards reinforces public confidence in police departments much the same as it does for hospitals, universities, and other professional services.
*Accreditation makes a statement to other law enforcement agencies, professions and the community that the Johnson City Police Department meets the highest level of standards and professionalism
How many law enforcement agencies are accredited?
While there are over 15,000 law enforcement agencies in the United States and Canada, there are only around 7% that are currently accredited. The Johnson City Police Department has proudly maintained accredited status since its original award date of November 1993.
For more information, contact the Johnson City Police Department Accreditation Unit: (423) 434-6104, Monday through Friday.
