MAYOR PALMIERI & POLICE CHIEF MARK WILLIAMS ANNOUNCE UTICA POLICE DEPARTMENT AWARDED RE-ACCREDITATION
Utica Police Department Maintains its Standing as a Top Performing Police Agency in New York State
Mayor Robert Palmieri and Police Chief Mark Williams announce the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) approved the Utica Police Department’s (UPD) application for re-accreditation, a major goal of the City.
While UPD has established accreditation twice in its history, this is the first time it’s ever successfully achieved re-accreditation.
The Accreditation Program is a progressive and proven method for helping police agencies evaluate and improve their overall performance by enhancing professionalism and effectiveness.
Accreditation increases public confidence in the agency, enhances accountability of staff and ensures that policies and practices are current, valid and implemented as intended. It also lessens vulnerability to civil suits and costly settlements by establishing “best practice/model policies” as recognized by industry standards.
In order to become accredited, law enforcement agencies must develop and implement policies and procedures to meet 133 standards that have been established by DCJS.
Accredited agencies are reviewed every five years, and the Certificate of Accreditation is awarded to agencies that meet or exceed these standards.
DCJS assessors engaged in a thorough, 3 day on-site evaluation of the entire department. After the evaluation, DCJS assessors concluded that UPD “has done an excellent job in its efforts to maintain program standards”.
Currently, there are over 500 police agencies in NYS and only 22% are accredited.
Mayor Palmieri stated, “This announcement is a testament to the professionalism and dedication of the Utica Police Department and Chief Williams. I want to thank Captain David Mickle and Officer David Poccia for their exceptional work in ensuring our application for re-accreditation was successful. I am extremely proud of our Police Department.”
Police Chief Williams stated, “Our department is committed to having the accreditation standards to ensure we are providing the highest level of service to our community. Having gone through an extensive reassessment process with the State and successfully passing their requirements, it gives us validation for the good police work by our department members.
