HOLLAND DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Accreditation Assessment Team Invites Public Comment
A team of assessors from the Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission (MLEAC) will arrive on Tuesday, August 16, to examine all aspects of the Holland Department of Public Safety’s policies and procedures, management operations, and support services Chief Matt Messer announced today.
“Verification by the team that the Holland Department of Public Safety meets the Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission’s “best practice” standards is part of the voluntary process to achieve accreditation, a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence” Chief Messer said.
As part of this final On-Site Assessment, employees and members of the general public are invited to provide comments to the Assessment Team. They may do so by telephone or email. The public may call (616) 355-1118 on Wednesday, August 17, between the hours of 9:00-11:00am. Email comments may be sent to k.mulder@cityofholland.com
Telephone comments are limited to five (5) minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with the Commission’s standards. A copy of the standards is available for inspection at the Holland Department of Public Safety, 89 W 8th St. Please contact Captain Keith Mulder at k.mulder@cityofholland.com
Anyone wishing to offer written comments about the Holland Department of Public Safety’s ability to comply with the standards for accreditation is requested to email the Accreditation Program manager at nrossow@michiganpolicechiefs.org or write the Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission at 3474 Alaiedon Pkwy, Suite 600, Okemos, MI 48864.
The Holland Department of Public Safety must comply with 108 standards in order to achieve accredited status. Chief Messer indicated, “Accreditation results in greater accountability within the agency, reduced risk and liability exposure, increased community trust and advocacy, and more confidence in the agency’s ability to operate efficiently and respond to community needs.”
The Accreditation Program Manager for the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police is Ret. Chief Neal Rossow. “The assessment team is composed of law enforcement practitioners from similar Michigan 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 the review of the agency, they will report to the full Commission, which will then decide if the agency is to be granted accredited status”, Neal Rossow stated.
Accreditation is valid for a three-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 MACP, through its Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission, is the legitimate authority and accreditation agency in the state of Michigan. For more information regarding the Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission, please write the Commission at: MACP, Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission at 3474 Alaiedon Pkwy, Suite 600, Okemos MI 48864 or email nrorrow@michiganpolicechiefs.org
Media Contact: Captain Robert Buursma (616) 355-1743