MANSFIELD — The Mansfield Police Department has again been rated among the best in the nation by a national certification agency.
The MPD has been re-accredited for the sixth straight time by the Commission of Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc., a distinction granted to less than 5 percent of law enforcement agencies across the country.
The re-accreditation certification, which CALEA calls the “gold standard of law enforcement,” was announced Nov. 19 in St. Louis, Mo., according to Chief Keith Porch. The department’s sixth-straight award spans the past 16 years and recognizes the Division’s commitment to prominence in policing.
Controlled Liability Insurance Costs – Accredited status makes it easier for agencies to purchase liability insurance; allows agencies to increase the limit of their insurance coverage more easily; and, in many cases, results in lower premiums.
Stronger Defense Against Lawsuits and Citizen Complaints – Accredited agencies are better able to defend themselves against lawsuits and citizen complaints. Many agencies report a decline in legal actions against them once they become accredited.
Greater Accountability Within the Agency – Accreditation standards give the Chief Executive Officer a proven management system of written directives, sound training, clearly defined lines of authority, and routine reports that support decision making and resource allocation.
Staunch Support from Government Officials – Accreditation provides objective evidence of an agency’s commitment to excellence in leadership, resource management, and service-delivery. Thus, government officials are more confident in the agency’s ability to operate efficiently and meet community needs.
Increased Community Advocacy – Accreditation embodies the precepts of community-oriented policing. It creates a forum in which police and citizens work together to prevent and control crime. This partnership helps citizens understand the challenges confronting law enforcement and gives law enforcement clear direction about community expectations.
Improved Employee Morale – Accreditation is a coveted award that symbolizes professionalism, excellence, and competence. It requires written directives and training to inform employees about policies and practices; facilities and equipment to ensure employee safety; and processes to safeguard employee rights. Employees take pride in their agency, knowing it represents the very best in public safety.
Source: Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc.
Porch, who joined the MPD in 1999 after five years with the Richland County Sheriff’s Office, became the department’s leader in 2019.
The decision to seek national re-accreditation is a voluntary, internally-driven move by a law enforcement agency, according to CALEA.
The chief said a team of CALEA assessors conducted an on-site visit in Mansfield during April of this year to examine all aspects of the department, including policies and procedures, management, operations and support services.
“During the on-site, assessors spoke to several local residents, as well as community leaders, and forwarded their on-site evaluation and findings to CALEA,” Porch said.
The department was subjected to two more reviews, including an official CALEA Commissioners Committee Review at the St. Louis conference.
“Receiving CALEA re-accreditation exhibits the Mansfield Division of Police’s commitment to meeting the highest standards of law enforcement excellence by continually demonstrating the ‘best practices and procedures’ recognized internationally within the law enforcement profession,” Porch said.
Porch commended hard work and dedication of all department members and offered and a special thanks to accreditation managers, recently retired Capt. Shari Robertson and Lt. Mike Napier, for their role in overseeing the department’s re-accreditation process.
RICHLAND COUNTY — The national re-accreditation of the MPD comes about 18 months after the Richland County Sheriff’s Office was awarded similar certification by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc.
The RCSO was first accredited in 2017.
In 1979, the national commission was created through the combined efforts of four major law enforcement organizations — the International Association of Chiefs of Police, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, National Sheriffs’ Association and the Police Executive Research Forum.
The purpose of the Commission is to develop standards based on international best practices in public safety, and to establish and administer the accreditation process.
The accreditation process is how a public safety agency voluntarily demonstrates how it meets professionally recognized criteria for excellence in management and service delivery.
