Accreditation

The Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association introduced the Accreditation Program in the summer of 2001 and have since accredited over 147 agencies across the Commonwealth.

Slate Belt Regional Police Department recently obtained Re-Accreditation through the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association. The Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Accreditation Program is a progressive way of helping police departments evaluate and improve their overall performance. https://pcpa.memberclicks.net/accreditation-home

The program consists of SBRPD allowing representatives of the PA Chiefs of Police access to the policies and procedures of which the officers of Slate Belt Regional Police Department follow. The assessors tour police headquarters, interview officers, perform ride-a-longs with officers and generally observe paperwork and actions which prove that the policies set forth are followed exactly. SBRPD originally obtained Accreditation through the Chiefs of Police in February 2020 and must meet Re-Accreditation status every three (3) years thereafter.

Congratulations to Slate Belt Regional Police Chief Jonathon Hoadley and Accreditation Manager Officer Douglas Possinger for their hard work and dedication to SBRPD. While Chief Hoadley and AM Officer Possinger worked very hard to ensure success, their efforts were based on the entire police force and their professionalism while conducting their official duties.

What is Accreditation?

The Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association introduced the Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation Program to the Commonwealth in July 2001.  Since then, over 375 agencies have enrolled and 149 agencies currently maintain accredited status. 

Accreditation is a progressive and time-proven way of helping institutions evaluate and improve their overall performance. The cornerstone of this strategy lies in the promulgation of standards containing a clear statement of professional objectives. Participating administrators then conduct a thorough analysis to determine how existing operations can be adapted to meet these objectives. When the procedures are in place, a team of independent professionals is assigned to verify that all applicable standards have been successfully implemented. The process culminates with a decision by an authoritative body that the institution is worthy of accreditation. 

The Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation Program was designed and developed by professional law enforcement executives to provide a reasonable and cost effective plan for the professionalization of law enforcement agencies within the Commonwealth. The underlying philosophy of the program is to have a user-friendly undertaking for the departments that will result in a “success” oriented outcome. 

Your law enforcement peers want the program to be consistent and achievable for all types and sizes of law enforcement agencies within Pennsylvania. That perspective has been used in the development of the program and in its implementation. Whether your agency has 10 personnel, 100 members, or a cadre of thousands, you and your department can successfully undertake and complete the Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation Program of the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association.

Of course there will be complex work involved, but that is true of any professional project that is worth accomplishing. However, the Commission Members, the accreditation staff, and the accreditation coalition support groups in various parts of the state are in place to assist you and your personnel with the process leading to accredited status and Commission recognition and certification. 

It is the goal of the Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation Program to be affordable, Pennsylvania-specific, and user-friendly. We will continue to endeavor to accomplish those purposes for the law enforcement agencies of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Feel free to contact Andrea Sullivan with any questions you may have.

The Benefits?

• Establishes a credible framework for evaluating agency practices and procedures
• Reduces agency risk and exposure to lawsuits
• Decreases some liability insurance expenditures
• Improves law enforcement – community relations
• Increases employee input, interaction and confidence in the agency
• Enlarges the outlook and viewpoints of managers, officers and employees
• Identifies and highlights the capabilities and competence of the agency
• Furnishes a solid foundation for the agency to build upon for further progress
• Provides reliable methods to improve essential management procedures
• Extends agency accountability to the public and elected officials
• Enhances planning and innovative activities by all agency personnel
• Develops improved methods for providing services to the community
• Encourages problem-solving activities within the agency