The Oak Forest Police Department has received its certificate of accreditation from the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, according to a news release.
The accomplishment was announced at the Oak Forest City Council’s board meeting Tuesday.
“Everyone here at the department is very proud of this accomplishment and we are very much honored,” Oak Forest Police Chief Greg Anderson said.
Oak Forest’s police department is one of 22 agencies in the United States to receive this accreditation as of October 2014. The standards for the accreditation are divided into four general subject areas: administration, operations, personnel and training. In November, an independent team from the Illinois Law Enforcement Accreditation Program representing the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police reviewed and examined the department’s policies, procedures, management, operations and support services against established criteria of professional excellence.
“This proves we are a top tier law enforcement agency, and just because we received this recognition does not mean we will stop doing these things well,” Anderson said. “We will continually implement new policies and constantly improve out department.”
The two day on-site process consisted of strategically studying the department’s everyday procedures, according to Anderson.
The visit can be accomplished in two days because most of the files will be reviewed off-site prior to the assessors’ arrival and travel time is limited.
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State accreditation program members rode along with Oak Forest police officers, reviewed files, conducted interviews, ran audits and more through the invasive study. State accreditation provides formal recognition that an agency meets or exceeds general expectations of quality in the field. Its goals include increasing effectiveness and efficiency, promoting cooperation among agencies, and ensuring proper training and promoting public confidence.
“We are following all necessary policies and procedures in our department,” Anderson said, “It is really unbelievable to be one of 22 agencies recognized.”
The Oak Forest Police Department will apply for re-accreditation from the IACP in four years.
Kelly White is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.