The Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC) recognized the Bothell and Des Moines Police Departments and the Mason County Sheriffs Office with Accreditation awards at their Spring Conference and Exposition in Spokane Washington on May 20, 2015.
All three departments initiated the Accreditation process in 2013, and have worked over the past two years to meet the policy and practice requirements to satisfy compliance with WASPC’s 131 standards.
“Those law enforcement agencies that voluntarily elect to pursue WASPC accreditation are not only seeking organizational excellence by meeting best practices, they are instilling higher levels of discipline and accountability throughout their agency. Accredited agencies are not only actively working to minimize risk through best practices they are moving ahead of non-accredited peer agencies by proving compliance with a rigorous set of standards that sends a powerful message to the community that inspires public confidence and trust,” said Kirkland Police Chief Eric Olsen, 2015 WASPC President.
The WASPC Accreditation program was started over 35 years ago and was one of the first programs of its kind in America. Many other state and national accrediting organizations have modeled their programs after WASPC. The WASPC program requires agency compliance with both operational and administrative standards. Currently there are 56 police agencies in Washington that are recognized with WASPC Accreditation; 44 of the agencies are city/municipal police agencies, 10 are county sheriff offices and two are state agencies.
The Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs was established in 1963 as a non-profit organization that provides training and resources to inform its members and advance law enforcement in the state of Washington. The organization is unique because it brings together both police chiefs and elected sheriffs throughout the state at venues that promote mutual understanding, cooperation and the professionalism of law enforcement.
The WASPC Director of Professional Services will present the department an Accreditation Award during the June 11 Council Meeting.
Congratulations!