The department was re-accredited on Wednesday, June 26, meaning the department has remained accredited every year since 2007. The department must seek re-accredition every three years.
Accreditation is a self-initiated, lengthy and comprehensive evaluation process. Participating departments complete an internal self-review and an external assessment by MPAC experts. The process is a voluntary evaluation by which police departments strive to meet and maintain the top standards of law enforcement. It is considered the best measure for a police department to compare itself against the established best practices around the country and region.
The Massachusetts Police Accreditation Program consists of 257 mandatory standards as well as 125 optional standards. To achieve accreditation status, the department was required to meet all applicable mandatory standards as well as 55% of the optional standards.
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 re-accreditation process was managed by Officer Courtney Thomas and Lt. Scott Hatch.
“I am pleased that our department has once again been re-accredited, meaning we have maintained accreditation since 2007,” said Chief Sedgwick. “Everyone on the department, and especially our accreditation managers, deserve a world of credit. This is the best way we can judge our department’s policies and procedures against best practices in law enforcement, and ensure we are providing the most professional public safety services possible to our residents.”
Georgetown Police stand with a plaque recognizing their seventh straight time earning re-accreditation from the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission. From left, MPAC Commission President Chief Russell Stevens, Officer Courtney Thomas, Lt. Scott Hatch, Chief David Sedgwick, and MPAC Board Member Chief Michael Bradley. (Courtesy Georgetown Police Department)
