“This is a great credit to the men and women of our department,” said Merrimack Chief Michael DelGreco, “but more significantly, it’s a signal to the community that we are continuing to follow the best practices and standards for our profession in keeping this community safe.”
With the efforts and involvement of all members of the force and coordinated by Lt. Jan Fuller, the accreditation manager, Merrimack College Police Services was reassessed by a team appointed by the commission that looked at management, operations and technical support services.
Merrimack’s department initiated the process in 2008 and was awarded initial certification in 2010. The department continued its commitment to earn full accreditation and was awarded that status in 2011, after meeting more than 300 standards as set by the commission. Commission guidelines call for a reassessment every three years to maintain accreditation.
Currently, Merrimack College Police Services is one of only 51 departments in the state to have earned accreditation — only eight of them at institutions of higher education.
The assessment covers areas such as policy development, emergency response planning, training, communications, property and evidence handling, use of force, patrol procedures and prisoner transportation.
“This reaccreditation tells the community and fellow law enforcement that we continue to be a well-trained, well-prepared force that follows the profession’s best practices,” DelGreco said of his 30-member department.
“Achieving accreditation from the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission is a very significant accomplishment and a recognition highly regarded by the law enforcement community,” said Donna Taylor Mooers, the commission’s executive director.
Mooers also added, “Police certification and accreditation serve to reassure the general public that the law enforcement profession is trained, prepared and ready for anything that comes its way.”
