Ponca City Police Department reaccredited

The Ponca City Police Department has been given the Award of Accreditation from the Oklahoma Association of Chiefs of Police, Oklahoma Law Enforcement Agency Accreditation and Professional Standards Program.

This marks 10th consecutive year the agency has been accredited. Although the Ponca City Police Department was initially awarded accreditation status in 2005, agencies maintain accredited status by submitting to a subsequent independent on-site review every three years.

The concept of law enforcement accreditation began in the 1970s when the need to upgrade the profession’s public image was apparent. The goal was and is to instill “professionalism” into every phase of law enforcement service.

In July 1996, the Oklahoma Association of Chiefs of Police received a grant to implement a law enforcement accreditation program in Oklahoma. A committee including representatives from municipal, county and state law enforcement, municipal assurance attorneys, and law enforcement bargaining units was formed to review and develop Oklahoma appropriate law enforcement accreditation standards.

The standards or best practices are intended to assist agencies in the efficient and effective delivery of law enforcement services. The standards cover all aspects of operations including individual’s rights, use of force, vehicle pursuits, property and evidence management, and other administrative, patrol, and investigative operations.

This voluntary process started with an internal agency review. That was followed by a three-day on-site critical assessment last fall of the agency’s policies, procedures, facilities, and operations. The assessment was performed by a team of law enforcement professionals from outside the Ponca City Police Department.

A comprehensive assessment report was forwarded to the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission for review, followed by the final review and determination by the Oklahoma Association of Chiefs of Police Executive Board.

“We are very proud to be among the agencies in the state of Oklahoma who have attained accreditation," Ponca City Police Chief Don Bohon said. "The Ponca City Police Department is an outstanding organization, full of great people who work hard for this community.”

The Ponca City Police Department considers itself to be one of the best. This process provided for an independent review of the department’s overall operations should assure the citizens of Ponca City that its police department conforms to current professional standards and best practices.