Accreditation
On November 16, 1995, the Beaverton Police department was honored as the first agency in the state of Oregon to become accredited through the Washington Association of Sheriffs & Police Chiefs accreditation program. This achievement placed the department within an elite group of agencies, similarly recognized for their professional excellence.
The accreditation process brought the department to a new and higher plateau - one that the department has maintained since its initial accreditation in 1995.
Just as an accredited hospital or university inspires trust among current and potential patrons, the residents of Beaverton can be confident that their police department has met a multitude of rigid guidelines designed to ensure quality customer service. Although but a mere sampling of the standards, citizens benefit from a department that must:
- Continue to improve its law enforcement programs and procedures;
- Ensure that it has the proper resources to fulfill its role in providing a safe community and maintaining peace and order;
- Maintain the highest standards in upholding its communication system with citizens, officers and other state agencies;
- Have contingency plans for disasters such as hostage situations, transportation related emergencies, civil unrest, storms, flooding, and earthquakes;
- Continue to develop specific policies, goals and objectives through which its commitment to crime prevention can be attained; and
- Maintain police cars that are equipped to protect officers at the scene and facilitate complete investigations.
Accreditation is not an honor that is conferred once and is everlasting. The department is required to meet the standards on an ongoing basis. Annually, the department must submit proof of compliance of selected standards; every five years, the department must undergo a complete reevaluation on-site. I am pleased to note that following an extensive on-site evaluation in August of 2000, the department was reaccredited by the Washington Association of Sheriffs & Police Chiefs.
Continually working to retain an accredited status has put department staff in the positive position of constantly having to rethink the way in which the department approaches matters. As new challenges arise, the department must continue to change in order to maintain its professional edge.
In the years to come, the department will work to maintain its accredited status. The members of the Beaverton Police department appreciate the opportunity to serve you and will be vigilant in their efforts to offer only the highest quality service.
