CONCORD — Interim Town Manager Kerry Lafleur and Chief Joseph O’Connor proudly announces that the Concord Police Department has earned accreditation from the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission.
The years-long, self-initiated process includes rigorous independent review and evaluation by MPAC of the Department’s compliance with 257 mandatory standards and 125 optional standards. To achieve accreditation status, the Department must meet all applicable mandatory standards as well as 55 percent of the optional standards.
An assessment team from MPAC visited the Department on March 10 and 11, reviewing management, operations, technical support activities, policies, emergency response planning, training, communications, facilities, equipment, evidence handling, use of force, vehicular pursuit policies, prisoner transportation and holding facilities among other topics.
The accreditation process is aimed at providing accountability among agency personnel and ensuring policies are applied evenhandedly; providing a statewide norm against which agencies can judge their performance; providing a basis to correct deficiencies before they become public problems; providing independent evaluation of agency operations; enhancing the reputation of an agency, increasing public confidence; and minimizing insurance costs and agency liability.
“This is a proud moment in our history; the achievement of accreditation validates our department’s efforts of delivering exceptional service to our community,” said Chief O’Connor. “I am grateful to MPAC, our accreditation team and all the members of the department for their steadfast commitment to professional policing.”
Accreditation also ensures the Concord Police Department is prepared to meet the demands of POST legislation and the requirements it created as part of the state’s police reform law, as well as the public’s expectation that the Department be transparent.
“Earning full accreditation from the MPAC is a significant achievement for the Concord Police Department and indicative of the high standard of professionalism and accountability adhered to at all levels of the department,” said Interim Town Manager Kerry Lafleur. “The accreditation is affirmation of the Concord Police Department’s commitment to follow best practices in their efforts to keep the community safe.”
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