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Whitewater Police Department smallest accredited agency in state

WHITEWATER — People here should feel confident in their police department after it recently became the smallest of the accredited law-enforcement agencies in Wisconsin, officials said.

Detectives are investigating crimes properly, evidence is collected with care and residents are pleased with the patrol’s response times, a law-enforcement accreditation team decided.

“We thought the Whitewater Police Department was doing a really good job,” said Steven Kopp, a deputy chief with the Janesville Police Department and a member of the 20-person assessment team from the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Accreditation Group.

“We were just very impressed that for a department of that size, they’re really well trained and equipped,” Kopp said. “The community ought to be proud of their police agency.”

The Whitewater Police Department is one of 16 accredited agencies in the state, including the Janesville Police Department. Wisconsin has more than 600 law-enforcement agencies.

The Whitewater Police Department, which has 38 employees and 24 sworn officers, is the smallest accredited department. It is the only accredited agency in Walworth and Jefferson counties.

An assessment team in April reviewed the department’s practices and determined it was compliant with 220 policing standards, such as training, communication and service.

The board of commissioners of the accreditation group voted unanimously last week to accredit the police department.

“I think it demonstrates to the community that our policies and standards are in accord with national standards,” Whitewater Police Chief James Coan said. “For us, maybe because we’re a small department, it’s a big thing. We’re obviously very proud.”

Kevin Brunner, Whitewater city manager, said the police department always is striving to improve its public service.

“I think it leads to good protection and public safety in the community,” Brunner said.

The process of becoming accredited is voluntary, Kopp said, and many departments don’t undergo the vigorous, three-day internal examination.

“It’s pretty intimidating to basically open up your agency to people from the outside who are going to basically examine your operation,” Kopp said. “It’s a little bit frightening.”

The board of commissioners for the accreditation group includes representatives of the City and County Managers Association, the Wisconsin Chiefs of Police Association, the Wisconsin Department of Justice Training and Standards and others.

Accredited agencies in the state include police departments in La Crosse, Menominee Falls and Appleton.

“They should take some comfort and satisfaction in the fact that their police department is meeting a high standard,” Kopp said.