The Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission (PLEAC) has awarded the Lower Southampton Township Police Department “Accredited Law Enforcement Agency” status during its meeting in Harrisburg on Tuesday, August 4, 2020.  The Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association introduced the Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation Program in July 2001 and since then; of the 1,150 law enforcement agencies within Pennsylvania, approximately 120 agencies are currently accredited.

Accreditation requires the agency to meet 136 policy standards and proofs of compliance in the areas of Organization and Management Roles, Law Enforcement Functions, Staff Support Responsibilities, and PA Legal Mandates.  It is an ongoing process whereby the agency is required to establish policy and procedures against established criteria and have compliance with those criteria verified by three independent assessors during an on-site evaluation.   The assessors toured police headquarters and examined our record keeping and evidence procedures.  Training methods, equipment inspections, services offered were also closely examined and the assessment ended with officer ride alongs to verify compliance with the accepted best practices as set forth by PLEAC.   

Accreditation affects every component of the agency and assures the community is receiving professional police services. PLEAC recognition is a coveted award that symbolizes professionalism, excellence, and competence in the law enforcement profession. The Lower Southampton Township community can take pride in knowing that its police officers represent the very best of the law enforcement community within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Chief Ted Krimmel, Lieutenant Mike Pennington, Board of Supervisors Chairman Ray Weldie, and Accreditation Manager Sergeant Matthew Bowman were in attendance.