Benefits of Accreditation

Accreditation increases the law enforcement agency’s ability to prevent and control crime through more effective and efficient delivery of law enforcement services to the community it serves.
 

If communicated properly, accreditation should enhance the community’s understanding of the law enforcement agency and its role in the community as well as its goals and objectives. Citizen confidence in the agency’s policies and procedures should be increased. 

Accreditation creates a forum in which police and citizens work together to control and prevent crime. This partnership will help citizens to understand the challenges that confront law enforcement. Law enforcement will, in turn, receive clear direction from the community about its expectations. Thus, a common set of goals and objectives will be arrived at and implemented.

Accreditation increases cooperation and coordination with other law enforcement agencies and other branches of the criminal justice system. 

The accreditation process requires an in-depth review of every aspect of the agency’s organization, management, operations, and administration to include:

• Establishes a credible framework for evaluating agency practices and procedures
• Reduces agency risk and exposure to lawsuits
• Decreases some liability insurance expenditures
• Improves law enforcement – community relations
• Increases employee input, interaction and confidence in      the agency
• Enlarges the outlook and viewpoints of managers,  officers and employees
• Identifies and highlights the capabilities and competence of the agency
• Furnishes a solid foundation for the agency to build upon for further progress
• Provides reliable methods to improve essential management procedures
• Extends agency accountability to the public and elected officials
• Enhances planning and innovative activities by all agency personnel
• Develops improved methods for providing services to the      community
• Encourages problem-solving activities within the agency

Ultimately, accreditation ensures that law enforcement “best practices” are being implemented and followed by the agency. 

Accreditation requires that agency policies and procedures are in written form and are available to all agency personnel at all times. Accreditation assures employees that the agency is compelled to operate within specific guidelines. The agency must stay in compliance with the standards set forth by the Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission in order to retain its accreditation.

The morale of the agency is enhanced by increasing the employees’ confidence in the effectiveness and efficiency of their own agency. Operations become more streamlined and consistent. Accreditation standards address officer safety issues and provide for adequate training and equipment of the officers.

Accreditation is a coveted award that symbolizes professionalism, excellence, and competence. Employees will take pride in their agency, knowing that it represents the very best in law enforcement.