By: Andy Kozlowski | Madison-Park News | Published December 16, 2024
MADISON HEIGHTS — Three years ago, the Madison Heights Police Department applied for accreditation through the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police. It’s an elite status based on how well an agency meets more than 100 nationally recognized standards and best practices, as set forth by the Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission.
The department, under the direction of its previous chief, Corey Haines, was ultimately successful in that endeavor. Now, under Haines’ successor Brent LeMerise, the Madison Heights Police Department is working to reaffirm the coveted status.
“Accreditation could certainly help with things like grant applications for the police department,” said Madison Heights City Councilman David Soltis. “I think all of the officers at the MHPD do a fantastic job and work very hard. They’re dedicated to improving our community, so whatever we can do to help them, including the accreditation process, we’ll do on City Council.”
The police chief said the application process is very involved.
“Unlike the initial accreditation process, reaccreditation is proving (Madison Heights police) follow the best practices for an entire three-year cycle,” LeMerise said via email. “It’s more difficult to gather and maintain three years’ worth of proofs versus one year. Accreditation is a perpetual process that truly never ends. It’s an ongoing audit of our department to ensure our compliance with state standards.”
Madison Heights Police Lt. Jordan Rieck has been named the accreditation manager.
“He has handled the project with great enthusiasm,” LeMerise said. “It takes a person with high energy and an eye for detail to run a project of this magnitude. Lt. Rieck is the right person.”
The process is exhaustively thorough, involving assessors who inspect the department and interview employees and community members, and seek public commentary, to gather feedback.
Every aspect of police work is considered: fiscal control, recordkeeping, public transparency, media relations, field training, weapons handling, criminal investigations, crime scene processing, search and seizure, arrests and use of force, traffic safety and enforcement, avoiding bias and more.
“There have been standards that have evolved or changed since our initial accreditation,” LeMerise said. “For instance, special event planning. The new standard provides clear safety and security guidelines for police operations during special events.”
As part of the accreditation process, Madison Heights Mayor Roslyn Grafstein was interviewed by assessors earlier this month. She said in an email that she highlighted the department’s efforts in recent years to significantly expand its community outreach.
“In the summer, (the Madison Heights police) again collaborated with neighboring cities to showcase the K-9 units, and in the fall, they hosted their second annual police versus fire department baseball game. The department has also partnered with the Lamphere Schools to share the cost of a resource officer’s salary and has budgeted for a second officer we’re hoping to share with the Madison Schools,” Grafstein said.
“The benefits of accreditation are far-reaching,” she added. “It enhances accountability within the department, reduces liability exposure, and fosters community confidence in law enforcement. The process also ensures that our Police Department operates efficiently and remains responsive to our community’s needs.”
Mark Bliss, the mayor pro tem, said the process is also a learning experience for the police, possibly introducing them to new practices that ultimately benefit residents.
“The focus is ensuring that our Police Department is operating at the highest standard possible. There’s no reason to hide when the job is being done right. It’s the same concept with accreditation. Our officers hold themselves to the highest standard, and this accreditation will be proof of that,” Bliss said. “It’s a breath of fresh air for our residents to know our police department is not only doing the right thing, but they’re willing to prove it by wearing body cameras and seeking accreditation.”