Canton police retain ‘gold star’ accreditation
Apr. 14, 2014 PLYMOUTH EAGLE.
Plymouth Michigan News
The Canton Township Police Department has once again been named among the gold-standard of police agencies in the state.
Canton has retained the coveted international accreditation status from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA), noted Director of Public Safety Todd Mutchler.
“I’m very proud of how the department has made CALEA a solid part of our culture over the past six years,” said Mutchler. “It was rewarding to hear that members of the on-site assessment team were impressed with how deeply embedded CALEA has become within the Canton Police Department,” he added.
The department received the original three-year accreditation status in 2007. To retain this status the department is required to submit for re-accreditation every three years, demonstrating that the agency has continued to comply with the standards set forth by CALEA. Along with the submission of annual reports, the department must successfully submit to an on-site assessment and hearing before the commission members.
Last November, representatives from CALEA conducted a comprehensive on-site assessment of the Canton department, reviewing polices and proofs to demonstrate continued compliance. Last week, Mutchler appeared before the commission and was awarded successful re-accreditation status.
CALEA accreditation is touted as “the gold standard in public safety” and is considered a highly-prized recognition of law enforcement excellence. The Canton Police Department continues to be the largest municipal law enforcement agency in Michigan to be accredited, Mutchler noted.
Law enforcement accreditation provides numerous benefits to the community ranging from the potential control of liability costs, to a stronger defense against litigation. It also provides an in-depth evaluation of department operations, ensuring top efficiency.
The Canton re-accreditation was granted for three years, during which time the department will continue to uphold the high standards on which the prestigious award was based, Mutchler said.
Plymouth Voice.
