South Berwick Police Department is one of only 20 of about 325 police departments in the state to earn the Maine Law Enforcement Accreditation Program certification, Town Manager Tim Pellerin told Town Council members last week. He said Police Chief David Ruger was advised of the accreditation by the Maine Police Chief’s Association earlier in the week.
Accreditation allows police agencies in Maine to prove their compliance with Maine Law Enforcement’s current best practices or standards. Pellerin and Town Council members congratulated Chief David Ruger the entire department on the achievement.
Commenting on the recognition, Police Chief David Ruger credited Lt. Jeff Upton, the department’s accreditation manager, for leading the agency through the lengthy process, which began nearly a year ago. Nearly all the department’s policies and standard operating procedures affecting life, health and safety had to be rewritten to comply with the higher standards required by the accreditation program. To fully meet accreditation requirements, officers and staff spent many hours training in the updated practices and procedures.
Denise Clavette, economic development director, said the accreditation marks the town as a “safe community’” and can help attract economic development. She added that the accreditation may also open doors for the Police Department to become eligible for certain grants.
