Thursday, April 01, 1999
Springfield police join elite group
Accreditation took 3 years
BY LEW MOORES
The Cincinnati Enquirer
SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP — The police department here has received national accreditation, joining a growing number of police agencies in the area that have been recognized by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Inc.
The accreditation should mean a boost for morale, increased stature as a police agency and help in recruiting, say township officials.
“It gives you a sense of self-pride,” said Sgt. Scott Middendorf. “It's a team effort. Everybody has a role in the process. As everybody learns the process, they get ownership in the department, which increases morale.”
The department began the process to gain accreditation about three years ago.
Normally, the process takes about 18 months to two years, but the township decided to rewrite its policies and procedures manual for police work to comply more fully with national standards.
CALEA, based in Fairfax, Va., has accredited more than 400 police agencies in the United States and Canada.
Being accredited requires law-enforcement agencies to comply with 80 percent of more than 400 standards involving such things as crime analysis, use-of-force policies, keeping statistics, traffic stops and criminal investigations.
A team of assessors from CALEA, made up of law-
enforcement officers, visits the police agency for an inspection and review. A public hearing is held in which the community can comment on its police agency.
“The township strives for excellence in all of the service areas,” said Springfield Township Trustee Gwen McFarlin. “It says a lot for our police department. We do have a community-oriented police department.”
“It's a validation of what we've worked so hard to do, and that's improve services of the township,” added Trustee Tom Bryan.
Trustee Joseph Honerlaw said township officials are aware of the rigorous review CALEA puts a police department through.
“They go over it with a fine-toothed comb,” said Mr. Honerlaw. “But what it means for the average citizen is that they have a police force that is top-notch. I feel really good about our department. It shows how far morale has come in our department.”
Sgt. Middendorf said the department, which has more than 30 officers, will come up for re-accreditation in three years.
“Within the law-enforcement community it gives us a little status, a little prestige,” he said.
“It enhances our image among our peers. As a peer you automatically have more respect for that agency. What people are concerned about is whether their department provides quality service. You know they do things in a professional manner.”
Springfield's is now among more than 40 police agencies in Ohio that have been accredited by CALEA.
In Southwestern Ohio, they include those of the Hamilton County Park District, Amberley Village, Indian Hill, Harrison, Clermont County, Evendale, Cincinnati, Lebanon and Milford.
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