KINGMAN — A team of assessors from the Arizona Law Enforcement Accreditation Program (ALEAP) will arrive on August 27 to examine all aspects of the Kingman Police Department’s policies and procedures, management and operations, as they relate to the Property and Evidence function of the department.
“Verification by the assessment team that the Kingman Police Department meets the Arizona Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission’s “best practice” standards is part of a voluntary process to achieve accreditation, a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence”, Chief Rusty Cooper said.
As part of the onsite assessment, employees and members of the public are invited to provide feedback to the Assessment Team regarding the Kingman Police Department’s compliance with accreditation standards. Feedback can be submitted directly to the Arizona Law Enforcement Accreditation Program via their website at: https://azleap.org/community-feedback/
Comments should address the agency’s ability to meet the Commission’s standards for accreditation. A copy of the standards is available for public review at https://azleap.org/about-aleap/ For any additional questions, you may also email the Accreditation Director at stacyolson@azchiefsofpolice.org.
The Kingman Police Department Property & Evidence function must comply with 48 standards in order to achieve accredited status. Chief Cooper indicated, “Accreditation results in greater accountability within the agency, reduced risk and liability exposure, stronger defense against civil lawsuits, increased community advocacy, and more confidence in the agency’s ability to operate efficiently and respond to community needs.” Chief Cooper further stressed the importance of this assessment, as it represents the opportunity to achieve the ALEAP Accreditation Trilogy – joining Property & Evidence with the already-accredited Communications and Law Enforcement functions of the department.
The ALEAP Director is Stacy Olson. “The assessment team is composed of law enforcement practitioners from similar Arizona law enforcement agencies. The assessors will review written materials, interview agency members, and visit offices and other places where compliance with the standards can be observed. Once the assessors complete their review of the agency, they will report to the ALEAP Commission, which will then decide if the agency is to be granted accredited status”, Olson stated.
Accreditation is valid for a four-year period during which time the agency must submit annual reports attesting to their continued compliance with those standards under which it was initially accredited. The Arizona Association of Chiefs of Police (AACOP), is the accrediting body in the State of Arizona. For more information regarding the Arizona Association of Chiefs of Police, please visit www.azchiefsofpolice.org.
