Public Announcement - Accreditation for WPD

As you know, verification by an Assessment Team that our Department meets the Commission’s standards is part of a voluntary process to gain state accreditation, a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence.  To this end, I am pleased to announce that a team of assessors (identified below) is scheduled to arrive on March 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4th of 2021, to begin the assessment process and peer review. As you can see, the team is comprised of four local law enforcement officials.  All have been especially trained and certified to conduct the assessment on behalf of the Commission.          

Team Leader:    Captain Paul Coughlin, Ret- Arlington PD

In order to achieve accredited status, we must be able to demonstrate that we are in compliance with all of the Commission’s mandatory standards as well as the required percentage of optional standards for our size agency.  While here, and as part of the verification process, Assessors will be examining some of our policies, procedures, facilities and equipment. They may also be interacting with members of the Department via telephone, video and/or in person if social distancing allows. 

The on-site assessment will conclude March 4th, 2021 with an Assessor briefing. The Team will report its findings to the Commission, who in turn will decide if accredited status should be awarded.  If awarded, Accreditation will be granted for a period of three years. 

See the attached press release for more: