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BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP — The Bloomfield Township Police Department is inviting the public to share comments during a voluntary state assessment later this month.
A team of assessors from the Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission will arrive on Monday, Dec. 12, to examine all aspects of the Bloomfield Township Police Department’s policies and procedures, management, operations and support services.
“Verification by the team that the Bloomfield Township Police Department meets the Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission’s ‘best practice’ standards is part of a voluntary process to achieve accreditation, a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence,” Bloomfield Township Police Chief James Gallagher said in a statement.
Accreditation program manager for the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police Neal Rossow said the assessment team is composed of law enforcement practitioners from similar Michigan law enforcement agencies.
“The assessors will review written materials, interview agency members, and visit offices and other places where compliance with the standards can be observed. Once the assessors complete their review of the agency, they will report to the full commission, which will then decide if the agency is to be granted accredited status,” Rossow said in a press release.
The Bloomfield Township Police Department must comply with 105 standards in order to achieve accredited status, which officials say acknowledges the implementation of written directives, policies and procedures that are conceptually sound and operationally effective.
“Accreditation results in greater accountability within the agency, reduced risk and liability exposure, stronger defense against civil lawsuits, increased community advocacy, and more confidence in the agency’s ability to operate efficiently and respond to community needs,” Gallagher said in a statement.
As part of the final on-site assessment, employees and members of the general public are invited to provide comments about the Bloomfield Township Police Department to the assessment team by telephone, email or letter.
Telephone comments — which must be made between 1 and 3 p.m. Dec. 12 by calling (248) 723-3580 — will be limited to five minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with the commission’s standards, according to officials.
Email comments about the Bloomfield Township Police Department’s ability to comply with the standards for accreditation can be made at jgallagher@bloomfieldtwp.org. or the accreditation program manager at nrossow@michiganpolicechiefs.org. Written comments can also be mailed to the Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission at 3474 Alaiedon Parkway, Suite 600, Okemos, MI 48864.
Accreditation is valid for three years, during which the agency must submit annual reports attesting to their continued compliance with the standards.
For more information regarding the Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission, email nrossow@michiganpolicechiefs.org.
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