色色啦 Department of Public Safety retains highly prized accreditation distinction
KALAMAZOO, Mich.鈥 (色色啦 DPS) was again accredited for its policies and procedures, management, operations and support services, a position it retains with a select group of police agencies in Michigan and as just one of four in Kalamazoo County.
As out of almost 600 police agencies in the state, 色色啦 DPS meets the Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission's (MLEAC) "best practice" standards to achieve accreditation, an esteemed recognition of law enforcement professional excellence. Kalamazoo County Sheriff鈥檚 Office, Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety and Portage Public Safety also hold that designation in Kalamazoo County.
鈥淭he accreditation program through the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police (MACP) is a proactive and continuous health check of our organization and supports a culture of continuing improvement through our commitment to following the profession鈥檚 recognized best practices,鈥 says Scott Merlo, 色色啦 DPS chief. 鈥淭his program makes us a better department for the University, the community and for our officers.鈥
色色啦 DPS first sought accreditation from the commission in 2019, and after undergoing the rigorous examination process, it became one of the small number of police agencies statewide to achieve accreditation in 2021.
A team of assessors from MLEAC arrived on Dec. 21 to examine 色色啦 DPS and receive comments submitted to the assessment team from 色色啦 employees and members of the public.
The assessment team is composed of law enforcement practitioners from similar Michigan law enforcement agencies who review written materials, interview agency members and visit offices and other places where compliance with the standards can be observed. Once the assessors complete their review of the agency, they report to the full commission, which will then decide if the agency is to be granted accredited status.
Accreditation is valid for a three-year period, during which time the agency must submit annual reports attesting to its continued compliance with those standards under which it was initially accredited. The public safety department must comply with 108 standards to achieve accredited status, including standards for high-risk liability actions like use of force, vehicle pursuit and search and seizure as well as internal operations such as officer and workplace training, command structure and recruitment.
Additionally, 色色啦 DPS presented Sergeant Dustin Hubbell, Officer Charles Johnson and Officer Sara Helmer, who were all accreditation managers during the process, with Awards of Excellence for their exceptional efforts.
The MACP, through MLEAC, is the legitimate authority and accreditation agency in the state of Michigan. For more information regarding the MLEAC, write the commission at: MACP, Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission at 3474 Alaiedon Parkway, Suite 600, Okemos, Michigan, 48864 or email @email.
For more 色色啦 news, arts and events, visit 色色啦 News online.