FAIRVIEW POLICE BECOME 23RD ACCREDITED POLICE AGENCY IN OREGON
Posted: February 24th, 2010 2:17 PM
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2010-02/2172/Accreditation.doc (Press Release Attached)
The Fairview Police Department was recently awarded accreditation through the Oregon Accreditation Alliance, which is a joint effort of the Oregon Association Chiefs of Police, Oregon State Sheriffs Association, and the Oregon Association of Public Safety Communications Officials. Representatives from each organization participate on a policy Board, which oversees and administers the state accreditation program.
Law enforcement accreditation is a progressive and contemporary way of helping agencies evaluate and improve their overall performance and provides formal recognition that an organization meets or exceeds general expectations of service and quality in the field. Agencies choosing to pursue accreditation under this program have examined all aspects of their operations, developed and implemented contemporary policies and procedures, and trained all employees on their use. Award of accreditation acknowledges that an agency's operations were carefully measured against a set of professional standards and that the agency met or exceeded requirements of those standards.
Accreditation is a voluntary program and agencies electing to pursue accreditation must comply with 100 standards and numerous sub-standards that represent core issues relating to life, health, and safety. The accreditation process includes five phases: 1) Application; 2) Self-Assessment; 3) On-Site Assessment; 4) Review and Decision; and 5) Re-Accreditation.
The Fairview Police Department initially joined the Oregon Accreditation Alliance in September 2005. Once awarded accreditation agencies are monitored and must submit annual reports, and are assessed every three years in order to maintain accredited status. The Fairview Police Department was evaluated for initial accreditation November 23-24, 2009, and the report was submitted to the Oregon Accreditation Alliance Board for review and determination at their meeting in February 2010. The Fairview Police Department was found to be in compliance with all applicable standards and approved for the award of accreditation on February 9, 2010.
Fairview Police Chief Ken Johnson issued the following statement regarding this achievement, "There are over 180 police and sheriff agencies in Oregon. Fairview is only the twenty-third (23rd) agency to successfully complete all 330 standards and sub-standards to become a State Accredited Police Agency. This represents approximately 12% of the departments. There are only two accredited agencies in Multnomah County: Fairview and Troutdale. This is a significant accomplishment that we can all be proud of: Members of the department and our community. I am proud of the dedication, patience and hard work of all department staff, which led to this monumental achievement. I am most proud of the fact that we have established best practices that will increase our ability to serve our community, fight and solve crime and make our community a safer place to live and work."
Prime benefits of accreditation include independent confirmation that policies comply with recognized professional standards, continuous and systemized self-assessment of policies, procedures and operations, decreased liability exposure, continuity of operations and clear employee expectations, and greater accountability to the community.
Oregon Accreditation Association Executive Director Joe Simon will make a formal presentation to the Fairview City Council on Wednesday, March 3, 2010 at 7pm (1300 NE Village Street, Fairview City Hall Council Chambers). The public is invited. A formal award presentation will also take place at the annual Awards Banquet of the Oregon Association Chiefs of Police in April. However, the agency is considered accredited as of February 9, 2010.
Replies to this message do not go back to the sender.
Go to http://FlashAlert.net/login.html to change or delete these messages.
