Representatives of Manchester-by-the-Sea Police stand with members of the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission as they accept a plaque denoting the department’s re-accreditation. From left are Hamilton Police Chief Russell Stevens, Lt. Mark McCoy, Chief Todd Fitzgerald, Sgt. Ryan Machain, Administrative Assistant to Public Safety Patrice Rotondo, and Bridgewater Police Chief Christopher Delmonte. (Photo Courtesy Manchester-by-the-Sea Police Department)

MANCHESTER-BY-THE-SEA – Chief Todd Fitzgerald is pleased to report that the Manchester-by-the-Sea Police Department earned re-accreditation from the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission (MPAC).

The re-accreditation award was presented on Feb. 12 at the Marlborough Country Club.

Accreditation lasts three years, meaning the department will remain accredited until 2028 when it undergoes a reaccreditation process once again. The Manchester-by-the-Sea Police Department has been accredited since 2019.

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 and 125 optional standards. To achieve accreditation status, the department was required to meet all applicable mandatory standards and 55 percent 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, detainee transportation, and holding facilities.

Chief Fitzgerald would like to recognize Sgt. Ryan Machain, who served as the department’s re-accreditation manager.

“I am proud that our department has once again been accredited,” said Chief Fitzgerald. “MPAC accreditation is the gold standard for police best practices and accountability, and we are committed to maintaining accreditation as long as I am chief.”

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Chief Todd Fitzgerald speaks after the Manchester-by-the-Sea Police Department earned re-accreditation from the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission. The re-accreditation award was presented during a ceremony held in Marlborough. (Photo Courtesy Manchester-by-the-Sea Police Department)

A message from the Manchester-by-the-Sea Police Department