PTC police keep accreditation

Fri, 11/27/2009 - 4:08pm
By: John Munford

Standards help department maintain professionalism

The Peachtree City Police Department has again won re-accreditation on the national level.

On a day to day level, accreditation affects every action taken by the police department because the department has to follow standards set out by the Commission on Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies. Those standards cover every aspect of police work from criminal investigations to how a suspect is arrested and more.

Police Chief H.C. “Skip” Clark said accreditation helps the department with its main goal of providing professional services to the city.

“It wouldn’t be possible without every member of the department doing what they’re supposed to do, day in and day out,” Clark said. “It helps make us a better agency in the long run.”

Keeping the national accreditation is a continuous process, Clark said, thanking accreditation manager Capt. Rosanna Dove in particular for her work in making sure the city is meeting accreditation standards on a regular basis.

It also helps that Peachtree City is a good community which supports the department, Clark added.

Among the benchmarks set in the CALEA standards are requirements to measure racial profiling data, use of force policies and more, Clark said.

“It’s a continual evaluation process,” Clark said. “It helps make us a better agency and helps us be more professional. That’s what our end goal is: to be the best of the best.”

Because it has maintained such accreditation since 1992, the department was awarded the status of “meritorious” agency at last week’s meeting of the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. The department also maintained its “flagship” status, meaning it is held as an example to other departments who have achieved accreditation or who are looking to do so for the first time.

Clark noted that the accreditation process wouldn’t be possible without the support of City Manager Bernie McMullen and Mayor Harold Logsdon, both of whom attended last week’s accreditation ceremony in Utah as a show of support for the department.

The department also had several officers pay their own way (and use their vacation time) to attend the Utah event, including Capt. Terry Ernst, Lt. Mark Brown and Sgt. Heather Jones. The officers’ commitment was noted by the commission.

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Submitted by skyspy on Sat, 11/28/2009 - 12:37am.

I hope the team of drunk and drunker enjoyed their free trip while the city is in a financial free fall.
One question: Did bernie show so much respect for our cops that he apologized for pouring his drink on the cops shoes during his DUI arrest?

bad_ptc's picture
Submitted by bad_ptc on Sat, 11/28/2009 - 12:51am.

Bernie plead out as is indiscretion and Harry had never been caught.

That both may have received a free-be to Utah, a dry state, may appear to be a little over the top we can take comfort in the fact that one if not BOTH will be giving up fulltime employment with PTC in the near future.


Submitted by skyspy on Sat, 11/28/2009 - 8:01am.

We will be rid of one if not both soon.

I still want to know if bernie ever apologized to that cop. I think he should have been fired for that action alone.

Submitted by PTCGOIL on Fri, 11/27/2009 - 7:55pm.

Since you brought it up.

In the last 14 years, prior to this one, how many mayors and city managers went to this event as a "show of support" with Chief Murray?

Who, inquiring minds want to know, paid for Harry and Bernie's excellent adventure with you?

Kudos to the admin. and staff, who over the years, have contributed greatly to this effort. You are the best and we appreciate all you do every day for us.

Until the above questions are answered, let's hold the praise for Harry and Bernie and Chief Skip.

della's picture
Submitted by della on Fri, 11/27/2009 - 9:11pm.

I concur. In the mist of a budget shortfall these two again have the audacity to spend tax payer money on a trip to Utah. How was the skiing?


Submitted by Bonkers on Sat, 11/28/2009 - 6:51am.

Suggest that the next one be scheduled for Death Valley! Under an open walled tent. Train fairs only with sandwiches.

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