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The Battle Ground Police Department has successfully completed a rigorous accreditation program that certifies it is operating under best practices and standards for law enforcement. The program is administered by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC) and involves a multi-phase process over several months.
“We are proud to be accredited by WASPC,” said Chief Mike Fort. “It means our department has achieved the highest professional standards for policing.”
Benefits of accreditation include administrative and operational effectiveness, fair recruitment and employment practices, better records management, improved use of technology, health and safety, training, codes of conduct and prisoner security, among other important law enforcement tasks.
“Battle Ground Police Department has worked hard to obtain this achievement,” said Steven Strachan, WASPC executive director. “The community should be proud of local law enforcement for taking direct and tangible steps to earn the public’s confidence in their operations.”
The certification is awarded for a four-year period after initial accreditation has been achieved. Battle Ground Police Department’s 2022 accreditation follows its previous accreditation in 2010, 2014 & 2018.
The Washington Legislature originally called for the development of standards and goals for law enforcement in 1976. The current WASPC program is continually updated and strives to guide law enforcement with best practices, accountability measures and heightens organizational discipline. Battle Ground Police Department is one of 67 law enforcement organizations, which make up approximately 25% of all Washington law enforcement, that is currently WASPC accredited.
WASPC was founded in 1963 and represents executive and top management personnel from law enforcement agencies statewide. With more than 900 members it includes the 39 elected county sheriffs, and 240 police chiefs, as well as the Washington State Patrol, the Washington Department of Corrections, and representatives of several federal agencies.