Pictured (L to R):Lt. James Jerome, Chief Adam Woodrow, and Sgt. Aaron Babinski.
The Western New England University Police Department received state Accreditation from the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission.
Accreditation is a self-initiated evaluation process by which police departments strive to meet and maintain established standards in public safety. These carefully selected standards reflect critical areas of police management, operations, and technical support activities. They cover areas such as policy development, emergency response planning, training, communications, property and evidence handling, use of force, vehicular pursuit, prisoner transportation and holding facilities. The program not only sets standards for the law enforcement profession, but also includes standards for the delivery of police services to citizens of the commonwealth.
“Achieving Accreditation from the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission is a very significant accomplishment and a recognition highly regarded by the law enforcement community,” said Donna Taylor Mooers, the Commission’s Executive Director.”
Under the leadership of Chief Adam Woodrow the Western New England University Police Department was assessed by a team of Commission-appointed assessors. The Commission offers two program awards: Certification and Accreditation, with Accreditation being the higher of the two. The Assessment Team found the Department to be in compliance with all applicable standards for Accreditation.
“Going through the process initially requires intense self-scrutiny, and ultimately provides a quality assurance review of the agency,” said Mooers.
To conduct the initial self-assessment and prepare for the on-site review of the 257 standards by the Commission, in 2012, Chief Woodrow appointed John Curtis McKeighan to serve as the Department’s Accreditation Manager. “Many members of the Department contributed greatly to the challenging process of Accreditation, I am proud to work with such a dedicated team of professionals” said Chief Woodrow.
Accreditation is granted for a period of three years.
