Sunday, February 07, 1999
Fairfield police take aim at rare feat: accreditation
Process to win it takes years
BY RANDY McNUTT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
FAIRFIELD — For many people, a diploma or certificate will open doors professionally. Police departments are no different.
It's one reason why the Fairfield Police Department is seeking national accreditation for its staff of 87, including 61 officers.
“This is a new initiative for us,” said acting Police Chief Richard St. John. “Accreditation today is the one and only real mark of professionalism or excellence in the law enforcement community.”
The process is not easy, nor is it brief.
“This is a long-term commitment, with more work to be done three years later,” he said. “You have to continue the process to maintain your status.”
City council recently appropriated about $8,100 to the department to enter the accreditation program, overseen by the Commission of Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Inc.
Sgt. Ken Colburn, the department's accreditation officer, said he is starting the paperwork needed to launch the program. It should take 18 months to two years to complete.
“The main thing it will give us is consistency,” he said.
While the department seeks accreditation, it is going through changes in leadership. City council has launched a national search for a chief to replace longtime chief Gary Rednour, who resigned in November after allegations of sexual harassment by two female officers.
Acting Chief St. John said he is interested in becoming chief. But even if he is not chosen, he said, the accreditation process will continue. He said he thinks it will bring a renewed sense of pride to the department.
He said fewer than 10 percent of U.S. police departments have received accreditation.
One reason for the lack of widespread accreditation is the vigorous work required. Police departments must comply with a series of professional standards that the accreditation commission has developed since 1979.
“The amount of work all depends on the size of the department and its functions,” the acting chief said. “There are 439 various standards, many of them mandatory for all agencies. Training is an issue. Our current program will change to reflect what is required.”
Nationally, cities with accreditation experience a 10 to 15 percent reduction in liability insurance premiums, a 17 percent decrease in lawsuits and a 35 percent reduction in payouts from lawsuits, according to the Commission on Accreditation.
Before the process is completed, Acting Chief St. John said, the commission will send a group of assessors to Fairfield for one week “to ensure that we are in compliance with the standards. They'll actually be out on the street with officers, observing to determine that we're following our procedures. They want to make sure we're practicing what we're preaching.”
The commission that oversees the process includes the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Sheriff's Association and the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives.
Are Clintons protecting or using Chelsea?
A Saturday primary? Maybe
Should Cincinnati sue gunmakers?
Legal claims rest on negligence or nuisance
'Smart guns' are not answer, some experts say
TOUCHED BY TRAGEDIES
Census miscounts cost locals
Sampler Weekend spreads arts Tristate-wide
Fine Arts Sampler: Museum & Gallery Highlights
Fine Arts Sampler: Sunday schedule
Fine Arts Sampler: Saturday schedule
Hallmark's Hall of Fame tradition
Bishop saluted for race summit
Imagemaker Award winners
Trench cave-in survivor faces long rehab
The things we all take for granted
Clinton not Republicans' only problem
No slowing road work sometimes
Bauer may not have shot, but will have say
Courts step up to a new home
Deals before death grow
Fairfield police take aim at rare feat: accreditation
Furniture takes over at Turfway
Gadd enters not-guilty plea
Heat turned up for adult shops
Politicians move mementos of home
Skater keeps cool on ice
TRISTATE DIGEST
