KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — A team of assessors from the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police (MACP) will arrive at the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety (KDPS) on Wednesday, August 5.
The MACP will be examining all aspects of the department’s policies and procedures, management, operations and support services as part of the police accreditation final assessment.
“Verification by the team that Kalamazoo Public Safety 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,” Public Safety Chief Karianne Thomas said.
As part of this final on-site assessment, employees and members of the general public are invited to provide comments to the Assessment Team. They may do so by telephone or email.
The public may call 269-337-8431 on Thursday, August 6 between the hours of 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Email comments can be sent to Inspector Guilds at guildsd@kalamazoocity.org.
Telephone comments are limited to five minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with the Commission’s standards. A copy of the standards are available for inspection at this link.
Anyone wishing to offer written comments about KDPS’s ability to comply with the standards for accreditation is requested to email the Accreditation program manager at nrossow@michiganpolicechiefs.org.
They can also write the Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission at 3474 Alaiedon Pkwy, Suite 600, Okemos, MI 48864.
KDPS must comply with 108 standards in order to achieve accredited status.
“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,” Chief Thomas said.
The Accreditation Program Manager for the MACP is Retired Chief Neal Rossow.
“The assessment team is composed of law enforcement practitioners from similar Michigan law enforcement agencies,” Rossow said in a statement. “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.”
Accreditation is valid for a three-year period, during which time the agency must submit annual reports attesting to their continued compliance with those standards under which it was initially accredited.
