On April 2, Mayor Andy Cook and executive staff from the Westfield Police Dept. attended an awards banquet in St. Louis, Mo. The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. recognized the police department with its first ever accreditation award.
WPD had to comply with 188 standards to earn the accreditation. Last October, a team from CALEA visited WPD to examine policies and procedures, management, operations and support services. CALEA is comprised of representatives from the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Sheriff’s Association, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives and the Police Executive Forum.
WPD Chief Joel Rush recognized Accreditation Coordinator Lieutenant Mike Allen and thanked Cook and the city council for their dedication to the police department.
WPD is the fifth police department in Hamilton Co. to receive this accreditation and will be reassessed in four years.
“I have always maintained the administration’s number one priority is public safety,” Cook said. “By the Westfield Police Department obtaining their CALEA Accreditation, the community can be confident in the chosen leadership of Police Chief Joel Rush and the efficiency of which the Westfield Police operate in meeting the needs of its residents.”