The Andover Police Department was recently awarded state accreditation again from the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission. The APD is the 22nd police agency in Massachusetts to receive accreditation status.
According to APD Lt. Commander James Hashem, accreditation is a self-initiated evaluation process by which police departments strive to meet and maintain standards that have been established for the profession, by the profession. These standards cover such areas as policy development, emergency response, training, communications, evidence handling, use of force, pursuits, and prisoner-holding and transport. The program not only sets standards for the law-enforcement profession, but also for the delivery of police services to citizens.
The Andover Police Department attained accreditation status in 2006 and has just completed its three-year review and assessment to maintain the status.
Officer Robin Cataldo was the APD's accreditation manager during the application process.
