Richard Burrows, Chief of Police
371 Main St.
Acton, MA 01720
For Immediate Release
Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019
Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net
Acton Police Department Awarded State Certification Status
ACTON — Chief Richard Burrows is pleased to announce that the Acton Police Department achieved State Certification from the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission (MPAC) on Tuesday, Sept. 10.
The department was recognized for its achievement during an awards ceremony at The Connors Center in Dover on Tuesday.
Certification is a self-initiated evaluation process by which police departments strive to meet and maintain the highest standards of law enforcement, and is considered the best measure of a police department against the established best practices around the country and region.
“Achieving certification through MPAC means that our department upholds the highest possible standards of policing,” Chief Burrows said. “I want to recognize the hard work and dedication of our entire department for the work they put in while going through this process and what they do each and every day to ensure that the Acton Police Department holds itself to the standards that our community deserves.”
The certification process is long and rigorous. It involves both an internal self-review and an external assessment by the Commission’s team of subject matter experts.
The MPAC program requires that departments meet all 159 mandatory standards.
These carefully selected standards include: Jurisdiction and Mutual Aid, Collection and Preservation of Evidence, Communications, Working Conditions, Crime Analysis, Community Involvement, Financial Management, Internal Affairs, Juvenile Operations, Patrol Administration, Public Information, Records, Traffic, Training, Drug Enforcement and Victim/Witness Assistance.
Earlier this year, the department was evaluated by a team of Commission-appointed assessors who found the department to be in full compliance with all of the necessary standards required for certification.
The Acton Police’s certification has been granted for a period of three years. Participation in the program is strictly voluntary.
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