The Signal Mountain Police Department is now an accredited agency by the Tennessee Law Enforcement Accreditation Coalition.
“The ultimate goal of accreditation is to improve and enhance the service that the police department provides its community,” said Rex Barton, representing the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police and the Tennessee Law Enforcement Accreditation Coalition. He presented the department with a certificate recognizing the achievement at the Signal Mountain Town Council’s March 11 meeting.
The department has been working to earn state accreditation for four years, and became accredited about two months ago after meeting all the required standards, said Police Chief Mike Williams.
To become accredited, agencies must meet 160 professional standards involving pursuit, emergency vehicle operation, use of force, search and seizure and more, said Barton. Departments must also provide proof of compliance with those standards, which they must continue to do throughout the three years their accreditation lasts.
The Chattanooga and Red Bank police departments are also state-accredited.
The accreditation program is voluntary, although there are benefits for departments that join the coalition, Barton said. Accredited departments receive a discount on Public Entity Partners, formerly the Tennessee Municipal League Risk Management Pool, which provides insurance for law enforcement agencies.
“It has been shown, and the risk management pool believes wholeheartedly, that departments that meet national and state standards don’t get sued as often, and when they do get sued we win a lot more often because law enforcement agencies conduct their affairs in a more professional manner,” he said, as to why accredited agencies receive a discount.
“It’s wonderful that you’ve been recognized, but you’re recognized every day by the people who live here,” said Signal Mountain Mayor Dan Landrum. “We’re all incredibly appreciative of the fact that we live in one of the safest places that you can live on the planet, not just in Tennessee.”
Email Emily Crisman at ecrisman@timesfreepress.com.