MANSFIELD, Ohio –The Mansfield Division of Police received praise Monday evening before a team of assessors from the Commission of Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA). One speaker, however, a news correspondent, did express concern particularly regarding police officer identification as officers to the public.
Two assessment team members, team leader Cheri Akselsen of the Johns Creek, Georgia Police Department and Deputy Chief David Cheatle of the North Charleston, South Carolina Police Department, arrived in Mansfield on Sunday to assess the Mansfield Police Department and invited public comment on Monday evening in city council chambers in the Mansfield Municipal Building. The public hearing was open to citizens or employees of the department to address the assessment team, and the comments will be reviewed by the team as well as reported back to the commission.
Terry Conrad, the executive director of Friendly House, spoke to the team first, stating, “I’ve been with Friendly House for 37 years and most of my time at Friendly House I’ve dealt with a number of police officers in my career at Friendly House and a lot of them are still on the department. All of my dealings with the police officers have been a very positive affair. Any time we had any problems or comments or any questions we could go to the Mansfield Police Department and they would help us out in any way they possibly could.
“And also they started doing some programming at Friendly House with the police officers that are mentoring the kids. Once a week they come in, they mentor them (the youth), they play games, and actually just get to know the kids and the kids can get to know them. It’s been a very good, positive relationship with Friendly House and the police department….I think the relationship they’re building with the youth in the community is just outstanding.”
Mike Skidmore, a correspondent for the Ashland Free Press, opened his remarks regarding commission guideline 1.2.3 and .4 for the police department’s written directive system.
“I think they are vague,” stated Skidmore. He said he felt the commentary on the guideline was better than the directive. He spoke about police interviews and questioned police force or coercion, police pat-downs. He also questions who officers identify themselves to the public, whether their name badges are visible or if they present their identification cards.
Akselsen responded to Skidmore’s concerns. She assured him that officers are required to identify themselves.
“The exception to that rule, which the standard does allow, is if the persons are undercover or identifying themselves would put the officer in great harm or danger,” she said.
Akselsen said Skidmore could assure his readers that based on their assessment in the last three years, the Mansfield Police Department officers do identify themselves and she used Deputy Chief Porch who was at the hearing, and his uniform and name badge, as an example. His badge number will retire with him and his name is visible on the right left breast pocket, she noted.
She also pointed out that a detective who was present did not wear a uniform but he identified himself as he performed interviews that day. Any officer who is not in uniform will produce an identification card upon request, she said. She also explained constitutional stops for Skidmore.
Mansfield Councilman Jon Van Harlingen told the assessors that he supports the police department, “wholeheartedly.” He commended them for doing well during fiscally rough years, and he added, “It’s nice to know there’s an outside agency judging our police department.”
“The one thing I definitely want to make note on today is how proactive that our police department is,” said Harlingen, noting that they are active in the community.
David Remy said he’s been a city employee for 23 years, most of that time in the law department as the prosecutor or as the law director, and the last four years as the resource director.
“I’ve had a lot of interaction with the police department over that time for a variety of different reasons and it’s always been positive.” He pointed out that the command staff is relatively new and he said he’s observed exceptional professionalism and a positive attitude.
Councilman Don Bryant was the last to speak. He commended the police department for working with limited resources. He also commended them for implementing “alternative and innovative” measures and for their willingness to work with the community to create solutions. He specifically noted the recent Mend Mansfield Coalition Unity in the Community Rally.
“Having that be organized by the department and the community, I think that’s just fantastic. They’ve done a fine job and I came out here to support them. They do a great job with the limited resources they have,” said Bryant.
Akselsen said they had met with Rev. Derek Williams earlier that day and she was impressed with him and that he spoke about the chief and how he worked to keep everyone safe for the march. She said she was also impressed with the turnout for the march.
Akselsen explained her team’s purpose. A new assessment team is assigned every three years for the accreditation process and they are never assigned from the state in which the department is located.
The prepared statement she presented explained the purpose of CALEA, of Gainsville, Virginia. The team is authorized by the commission to assess the police department in its candidacy for re-accreditation. The department, which voluntarily submitted for re-accreditation, a process that includes 189 applicable standards for re-accreditation regarding policy and procedures, management, operations, and support services.
Verification by the team recognizes that the Mansfield Division of Police continues to meet the commission’s standards and reflects recognition of the department’s law enforcement professional excellence. The Mansfield Division of Police was accredited in 2006 after demonstrating compliance with all applicable standards. The assessors’ role is to re-verify that the department maintains compliance since it was last accredited. The process will continue on Tuesday and their findings will be presented to the commission.
It’s been a very good, positive relationship with Friendly House and the police department….I think the relationship they’re building with the youth in the community is just outstanding,” said Terry Conrad.
