The Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC) formally recognized the Battle Ground Police Department for earning agency accreditation at the June 7, 2010 City Council Meeting.

The Police Department officially received WASPC accreditation on May 19, 2010 after a year-long process. WASPC accreditation is granted to law enforcement agencies who demonstrate 140 professional standards for efficient and effective operations. Only about 14% of law enforcement agencies in Washington State have earned accreditation.

Commitment to the accreditation process by the Battle Ground Police Department began in early 2009 with their review of each of WASPC’s 140 standards and a self-assessment of the department’s existing practices and procedures. While many of the department’s practices met the professional standard, the accreditation process facilitated the incorporation of those practices into Department Policy and individual units’ Standard Operating Procedures. Staff at every level of the department participated in the process.

An assessment of the department’s updated practices, policies and procedures was conducted in February of this year by members of a WASPC accreditation team. Their evaluation resulted in a recommendation for accreditation of the department and the final award of accreditation on May 19th at WASPC’s annual conference.

To maintain WASPC accreditation status, the department must renew their accreditation and be recertified by WASPC every four years.

City Manager John Williams spoke to the benefits of accreditation, “The efforts of the Battle Ground Police Department and the accreditation process has improved administrative and operational efficiencies, decreases the City’s susceptibility to litigation, and has established a constant point of reference from which the Police Department operates. Their work is to be commended.”