Police seek national accreditation

Friday, Nov. 16, 2001 | 9:44 a.m.

The Henderson Police Department is seeking to ensure that it complies with 443 law enforcement industry standards as part of a voluntary process to gain a national accreditation.

A team of assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies will conduct an on-site inspection of the department starting Dec. 15. Police agencies can choose to go through an accreditation process, but it is not required.

The assessment team is composed of police from out-of-state law enforcement agencies, similar to the Henderson Police. Assessors will tour the department, interview officers and review written materials.

Henderson Police Chief Mike Mayberry said that the accreditation process is important for the department and the entire community.

"It is essential that every department member as well as our citizenry feel confident that our department performs its role in a competent and professional manner," Mayberry said. "To help ensure this, we have voluntarily become a part of the process to become accredited."

The commission was created in 1979 through the combined efforts of four law enforcement organizations: The International Association of Chiefs of Police, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, National Sheriff's Association and Police Executive Research Forum.

The criteria for accreditation are broken down into nine major law enforcement categories, including: relationships with other agencies, organization and management, personnel structure, personnel process, operations, operational support, prisoner and court activities, traffic operations and technical services.