East Grand Rapids, Michigan, Aug. 20, 2020 — The East Grand Rapids Public Safety Department has been officially accredited by the Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission.
After an extensive, three-year review and implementation period, the cross-trained department, which offers police, fire and medical first response services, has completed the MLEAC’s law enforcement accreditation process and was granted accredited status.
During the accreditation process, assessors evaluate the department’s policies, procedures and operations to ensure compliance with 108 standards which further include approximately 540 proofs that require the department to demonstrate how it actively performs the nation’s and state’s best practices.
MLEAC’s assessment team is composed of law enforcement practitioners from Michigan law enforcement agencies. The assessors reviewed EGR’s written materials, interviewed officers and visited the department and additional locations where compliance with the standards could be observed. Assessors also took a variety of community feedback through both phone calls and emails.
“Already a significant achievement, accreditation status has now become even more valuable, setting the EGR department, and in turn, the community, up for future success,” said Robert Stevenson, executive director of the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police. “As departments across the country work on enhancing their procedures, EGR’s officers are ahead of the game now implementing those best practices. The department’s proactiveness demonstrates that the officers care to enhance their policies in order to best serve all its citizens.”
East Grand Rapids Public Safety is one of 25 MLEAC accredited departments in the state of Michigan which has 600 police agencies.
“I am incredibly proud of our team for dedicating so much time to improving our department over the past three years,” said EGR Chief Mark Herald. “Their genuine commitment, level of accountability and interest in increasing efficiency is what earned us this honor.
“By volunteering to participate in this process, we’ve demonstrated our commitment to enhancing our department, providing the highest quality of service and not only meeting but exceeding our community’s needs. I would like to specifically thank Detective Sergeant Scott Kolster for spearheading this process to ensure it was completed successfully.”
Accreditation is valid for three years during which the departments must submit annual reports attesting to its continued compliance with the standards under which it was initially accredited.
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