Evansville police seeking accreditation for department
EVANSVILLE — Police Chief Scott McElroy has wanted to get his department accredited for years, but the money was never available.
Now he has the support from the city council, and the department has started the process to seek accreditation from the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Accreditation Group.
WILEAG is a non-profit, independent accrediting organization.
"I think it's important because we want to make sure our policies and procedures are among the best that is out there in the field of law enforcement," McElroy said.
The Evansville Police Department has joined WILEAG and the Wisconsin Police Accreditation Coalition, a "support group" for departments working toward accreditation.
To become accredited, a department must be compliant with WILEAG standards that cover all aspects of law enforcement administration and operations.
Twenty departments in the state are accredited, with about 15 others in the process, said Tim Kriz, program manager for WILEAG and owner of his own consulting business, Custom Service Information in Wisconsin Rapids.
With nine police officers, Evansville is the second-smallest department seeking accreditation, he said, though accreditation seems to be catching on across the state.
McElroy hopes to complete the process sometime in 2010.
It will make for several busy months. Most of the staff will be help in the accreditation process while the department prepares to move this summer to the old fire department downtown.
Accreditation will include reorganizing the department's manual and reviewing every policy, McElroy said.
He doesn't anticipate making many changes.
"Overall, we think we have a real good policy manual," he said. "A lot will remain."
The process also will include a public hearing, likely sometime next year.
Once a department completes its application, a team of three assessors from WILEAG will conduct a site review including interviews, riding with officers and inspections of records and files, Kriz said. The team files its reports to the board for approval.
After a department is accredited, it must be reevaluated every three years and pay annual fees, he said.
The city council allocated about $1,250 for the process this year and will do about the same next year, McElroy said.
"To me, it's a thousand dollars well spent," he said. "I've wanted this ever since I've been chief."
He anticipates the whole process will cost $2,000 to $3,000. The city also hired Kriz to assist in the process.
"It's a commitment of staff time, it is a commitment of dollars," McElroy said. "But when you have a final manual that you can say is amongst the best in the field, I think you've done all you can do to make sure your policies and procedures are as good as they (can be), and that's what I want."
Apr 9, 2009 at 7:56 p.m.
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dizzii , absolutely. I think small town police depts are in such a fish bowl. Because everyone from the mayor to the crossing guard wants to tell them how to do their job. However it is for that reason that I think its very important that they make sure they are following procedures no matter who it is they are dealing with. Not treating people differently just because they have known them for 20 years. As long as everyone is following the rules/laws how often does a average citizen really have contact with them? I think its great they are doing this and I think there will be a lot to be learned from it.. Good for them..
Apr 9, 2009 at 6:35 p.m.
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The Evansville’s Police Department is one of the best and most understanding around. I have always known Scott, Officer Laufenberg, and Lieutenant Koehler to be very helpful and understanding. When my kids were growing up they were no angels and all 3 took the time (as did Lt Phillips) to look at the big picture and work with us as a family.
I’m glad we have officers walking the beat at bar time and actually checking on people before they may drive home. Even if they aren’t driving it’s OK in my book to check someone out if they are out at that time. My parents always said and I tell my kids, if you have nothing to hide then who cares.
THANK YOU Evansville Police Department for putting yourself in harms way on a daily bases to protect our homeland. It seems that the police only get credit when something big or bad happens. But everyone should thank you all everyday for all that you do. If you didn’t do what you do on a daily bases then you wouldn’t be there when you’re needed.
Apr 9, 2009 at 4:57 p.m.
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Let the Cop bashing begin.
Apr 9, 2009 at 1:35 p.m.
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queen--I'm curious to know where you got your info on this. Are you certain that some kind of complaint hadn't been filed? That is possible, and the two bowlers may not have known.
Apr 9, 2009 at 1:01 p.m.
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We can only hope it will make a difference. Maybe if they follow thru with this, when someone calls asking for help, they won't ask
'what do you want us to do about it?" Sad to say it was a simple situation and that was the response we got.
Apr 9, 2009 at 12:32 p.m.
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In the nearly 20 years I've known the chief, including the entire time he has been chief, I have NEVER know him to ingore legitimate complaints about officers 'not following policies' that were brought to his attention. If anything, he's too hard on the officers that need 'coaching'. If this process did nothing else but 'made' them review/critique each policy, it would be a great benefit. I know of agencies that have operated with use-of-force policies from the 80's!! Accredidation will do much more, and I applaud their efforts.
Apr 9, 2009 at 12:32 p.m.
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My question is will it really make a difference? They have procedures and policy's now they don't follow.
Apr 9, 2009 at 12:13 p.m.
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What changes do (they) need to make? It is called accountablilty. Very hard to discipline or train when the policies/rules/procedures are not clear and concise. This is only going to help everyone involved from the "new" officer to the veteran officer to the citizens of Evansville.
Apr 9, 2009 at 11:29 a.m.
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Really its to bad they all are not like Art was. Now he was a professional. My point is you can be accredited all you like, but it will mean nothing if you don't take it seriously and make some changes and keep to them. It's just words on paper other wise. I am not sure if they think they will be more respected by doing this? But not if they don't make changes.
Apr 9, 2009 at 11:25 a.m.
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O.K. what good is a manual and procedures when his own officers don't follow them? They kind of wing it half the time. It does us as a city not good, just money spent if his officers are not going to follow their own policy's.. To think they will be watched, as some one from this committee will ride with them while on duty. They will actually have to be well behaved and follow the rules.. WOW...
Apr 9, 2009 at 9:58 a.m.
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With something like this, it's the self-examination necessary to prepare and pass that has the enduring effects. Good luck!
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