Deb Malewski
Contributing Writer
(Deb Malewski/FAN – The man behind the paperwork for this special accreditation was Lt. Paul Creger. The process took years to complete reports and paperwork.)
Despite its small size and limited resources, the Eaton Rapids Police Department has accomplished something many larger agencies have yet to achieve. It recently earned accreditation through the Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission (MLEAC), a process requiring several years of work, hundreds of documented policies and procedures, and a commitment to meeting nationally recognized professional standards.
Of Michigan’s more than 550 law enforcement agencies, fewer than 100 have achieved accredited status.
Police Chief Larry Weeks appointed Lt. Paul Creger to serve as the department’s accreditation manager, placing him in charge of guiding the agency through the demanding process. Over the next several years, Creger led the department through the Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission (MLEAC) process by overseeing and documenting compliance with the policies, procedures and standards required to become a fully accredited agency.
Accreditation is much more than a certificate hanging on the wall. It is a voluntary process that evaluates nearly every aspect of a police department, from policies and evidence handling to training, use of force, record keeping, and emergency planning. Departments must demonstrate that they meet rigorous professional standards and undergo outside review before accreditation is awarded.
“When someone calls 911, they should know our policies, training and accountability meet recognized professional standards,” Creger said.
To earn accreditation, departments must meet 130 professional standards covering virtually every aspect of police operations. Accreditation remains valid for three years, during which departments must submit annual reports demonstrating continued compliance through documentation, photographs, and other supporting evidence.
“Accreditation is a good thing to do,” Creger said. “It requires us to get better and be better. It raises the bar for us.”
As accreditation manager, Creger will be responsible for demonstrating each year that the department continues to meet those standards.
While much of the documentation and reporting falls on the department’s leadership, accreditation affects every member of the agency. Officers are expected to follow standardized policies, maintain current training, and carefully document their work. Creger said the additional paperwork for patrol officers is minimal because many of those practices are already part of their daily responsibilities.
“City Council has been very supportive of our police department becoming accredited,” said Eaton Rapids Mayor Pam Colestock. “It shows commitment towards being the best we can possibly be, and that’s important to our citizens’ safety and trust.”
“It also shows our current and future officers that we are making their future at ERPD a priority by giving them the best possible opportunity for success,” she added.
There will be an official ERPD Accreditation presentation to Eaton Rapids City Council on July 27 at 7 p.m.
