CPD awarded certification status

On Thursday, May 1, the Canton Police Department received state certification from the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission.

Chief Ken Berkowitz and Lt. Patty Sherrill hold the certification document from the Mass. Police Accreditation Commission.

Certification is a self-initiated evaluation process by which police departments strive to meet and maintain standards that have been established for the police profession by the accreditation commission. The standards reflect critical areas of police management, operations, and technical support activities. They cover policy development, emergency response planning, training, communications, property and evidence handling, use of force, vehicular pursuit, prisoner transportation and holding facilities.

“Achieving certification from the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission is considered a very significant accomplishment and is a recognition that is highly regarded by the law enforcement community,” said Donna Taylor Mooers, the commission’s executive director.

Under the leadership of Canton Police Chief Ken Berkowitz, the Canton Police Department was assessed in January by a team of commission-appointed assessors.

“Going through the process initially requires intense self-scrutiny, and ultimately provides a quality assurance review of the agency,” said Mooers. “To conduct this self-assessment and prepare for the on-site review of the 159 standards by the commission, Chief Berkowitz appointed Lt. Patricia Sherrill to serve as the department’s accreditation manager. The department’s job is not done, however; the agency’s ultimate goal is to achieve the commission’s highest award, accreditation, by January of 2015.”

Certification has been granted for a period of three years. Participation in the program is strictly voluntary.

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Posted by Mike Berger on May 15 2014. Filed under News, Police & Fire. Both comments and pings are currently closed.