MPD is Awarded “Accreditation” Status

On June 4, the Marion Police Department received state Accreditation from the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission.

Accreditation is a self-initiated evaluation process by which police departments strive to meet and maintain standards that have been established for the profession, by the profession. These carefully selected standards reflect critical areas of police management, operations, and technical support activities. They cover areas such as policy development, emergency response planning, training, communications, property and evidence handling, use of force, vehicular pursuit, prisoner transportation and holding facilities. The program not only sets standards for the law enforcement profession, but also for the delivery of police services to citizens of the commonwealth.

“Achieving Accreditation from the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission is a very significant accomplishment and a recognition highly regarded by the law enforcement community,” said Donna Taylor Mooers, the Commission’s Executive Director.”

Under the leadership of Chief Lincoln Miller, the Marion Police Department was assessed in March by a team of Commission-appointed assessors. The Assessment Team found the Department to be in compliance with all applicable standards for Accreditation.

“Going through the process initially requires intense self-scrutiny, and ultimately provides a quality assurance review of the agency,” said Mooers. To conduct the initial self-assessment and prepare for the on-site review of the 284 standards by the Commission, Chief Miller appointed Lieutenant John Garcia to serve as the Department’s Accreditation Manager. In May of 2014, the Marion Police Department was awarded state Certification, the first step in the two programs offered by the MPAC. Within one years’ time, Lt. Garcia was able to bring the department to the next level of the process.

Marion is currently 1 of 58 of the 187 participating agencies in Massachusetts to be granted Accreditation status. They are 1 of only 4 departments located in Plymouth County. Participation in the program is strictly voluntary. This prestigious status has been awarded for a period of three years ending in May 2018. The department fully intends on continuing to strive for excellence and will seek re-Accreditation at that time.

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