The Advance-Monticellonian reported that the Monticello Police Department was recognized Tuesday, July 27th at the regularly scheduled City Council meeting as an accredited agency through the Arkansas Association of Chiefs of Police Law Enforcement Accreditation Program Committee.
According to the article, there are about 37 other states in the country that also have their own accreditation program like Arkansas does. “What this means is, Chief Jason Akers and the others took on the responsibility, looked at their policy, and did an internal inventory of their department,” Gary Sipes executive director of AACP.
Sipes also added that policies were created with the input of the Arkansas Municipal League and to ensure the policies stay up to date, the Association also contracted with a firm out of Indiana, who keeps the policies up to date on all federal and state statutes. Sipes further explained for the city of Monticello this means that the Chief and the officers of the MPD have adopted the new policies and updated everything. They have covered all of the critical issues that could get their law enforcement agency in trouble, including use of force, police pursuits, evidence and property management, and control in investigative operations.
Akers credited his officers for all their hardworking while accepting the award.
