Accreditation Services
Accreditation - Policies, Procedures, and Proofs of Compliance
The Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association's Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation Program can be time consuming, labor intensive, and require resources that may be unavailable to a law enforcement agency within the Commonwealth. Law Enforcement Accreditation Services can assist an agency with their desire to become an accredited law enforcement agency or retain their existing accreditation status by providing the following accreditation services to an agency:
- Review, evaluate and make recommendations to any current departmental policies to verify compliance with the standards promulgated by the Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission (PLEAC).
- Create additional policies if required and continually evaluate departmental policies and procedures to reflect current Rules of Criminal Procedure, Crimes Code and Vehicle Code.
- Make recommendations based on best practices regarding the operation of the Evidence/Property function as well as the Cell Areas and Temporary Holding Areas.
- Coordinate and conduct periodic training that meets the requirements of PLEAC.
- Create standard folders within PowerDMS software that meet the expectations of PLEAC assessors.
- Maintain the standard folders in PowerDMS by locating, evaluating and inserting proofs of compliance that meet PLEAC standards. As required by PLEAC, two (2) proofs of compliance per twelve (12) month period are necessary.
In addition, if an agency is not yet prepared to become an accredited law enforcement agency a seeks instead to simply have an updated policy manual, Law Enforcement Accreditation Services can provide this service as well.
Grant Writing Services
Grant Funding
Law enforcement agencies across the Commonwealth are being mandated to increase the services provided to their community, but with stagnant or decreased funding. By applying for grants, law enforcement executives are better able to manage the demands placed onto their agency. By successfully obtaining grant awards, law enforcement executives can purchase or maintain needed equipment and technology, conduct training, and hire consulting services and personnel. In Pennsylvania, a significant amount of money is available for law enforcement agencies to obtain through law enforcement equipment and technology manufacturers, the United States Department of Justice, and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, amongst others.
Many law enforcement executives do not apply for grants because they are unfamiliar with the grant application process or do not have the personnel with the skill set and time to apply for a grant. Grant writing is a niche and applying for a grant is a very competitive process that requires careful preparation and attention to detail.
Law Enforcement Accreditation Services can be your agency's solution for grant writing services today!
Police Station Design Review Services
New Construction and Renovations
A properly designed police station is vital to the long-term functionality of it. To ensure that any police station renovations or new construction meet the needs of your agency, it is important to solicit input from a variety of stakeholders. These stakeholders include, but are not limited to select agency personnel, municipal administrators, elected officials, and members of the public. Prior to any renovations or new construction taking place, a committee of qualified individuals must be established, a list of prioritized goals and objectives created, and a comprehensive budget that is accompanied by a realistic schedule formed. Ultimately a presentation of the plan, which includes committee findings and requests, will have to be submitted to an approving authority.
Law Enforcement Accreditation Services can assist law enforcement agencies across the Commonwealth with the development of their police station renovations or new construction and ensuring that the plan is built for success!
Property & Evidence Control Services
Property & Evidence Management
Law enforcement executives tend not to appreciate or understand the property and evidence control function. At many agencies the property and evidence control function is commonly forgotten about or at the very least is not given the attention that is required. In addition, the role of an Evidence Custodian is often seen as being a non-glamorous and an undesirable assignment.
The property and evidence control function exists so that a law enforcement agency can receive, catalog, secure, and maintain the integrity of evidence and property that has been found or is being retained for safekeeping. In addition, a legal obligation exists for an agency to facilitate the legal disposition of property and evidence in the agency’s possession. To accomplish this, law enforcement executives must take responsibility for and prioritize the property and evidence control function within their agency. They must have personnel who are willing and able to serve as their agency’s Evidence Custodian. For those that serve as an Evidence Custodian, they must have a unique set of skills, which includes, but is not limited to, attention-to-detail, being well organized and also task oriented. Sufficient time and resources must be provided to an Evidence Custodian to ensure that they can accomplish their duties and responsibilities. In addition, ample space and security measures must be put in place within an area designated for property and evidence storage. Audits and inspections must be routine. Ultimately “trust through verification” is a motto that will lead to a well maintained and managed property and evidence control function.
Law Enforcement Accreditation Services has the expertise to assist law enforcement executives across the Commonwealth with reviewing and improving their agency’s property and evidence control function.
