Chelsea Police Department 2012 Annual Report | Page 18

Professional Standards
The Unit is responsible for issuing new and revised Department policies, directives and procedures ensuring that they are compliant with the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Program. The goal of the Unit is to establish an environment effective in management, teamwork, empowerment, communication and professional

The Unit consists of several independent, administrative components working with all Divisions. The Unit is responsible for the safe and secure operation and maintenance of Chelsea Police Headquarters including all State-mandated procedures relating to procedures for detainees.

Accreditation
The Chelsea Police Department was assessed by a team from the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission in 2010 who examined various aspects of the Chelsea Police Department’s Policies & Procedures, Rules & Regulations, Operations and Facilities which now conform with CALEA National Standards adopted by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. and as a result recommended that the CPD become State Accredited by the Commission. These 365 national standards [253 Mandatory Standards and 112 Voluntary Standards] reflect the best professional practices in each area of police management, administration, operations and support services. The official Accreditation Ceremony was held on September 24, 2010 at the Hopkinton Police Department. Although participation in the Accreditation Process was strictly voluntary, the attainment of this status now ensures that the delivery of police services in the City of Chelsea shall be at the highest level of professionalism and integrity possible. Of the 351 cities and towns in the Commonwealth, the CPD is now one of only thirty law enforcement agencies to receive this status that symbolizes professional excellence and expresses an agency's desire and commitment to voluntarily meet and maintain standards that have been established for the profession, by the profession.

18