Cranston Police Department Awarded Exclusive State Accreditation

Joining just three other agencies in the state, the Cranston Police Department has been bestowed with state accreditation by the Rhode Island Police Accreditation Commission.

The department was presented with a certificate at Monday night's City Council meeting during which the department was lauded for excellence in policing and compliance with best practices.

"Achieving accreditation demonstrates the ongoing commitment of the Cranston Police Department to deliver an exemplar level of police service to the city of Cranston and its residents," said RIPAC Chairman Col. Stephen M. McCartney.

RIPAC conducted a full assessment of the department in October, led by Executive Director Christine A. Crocker.

The department was judged in twelve specific accreditation categories and the department was found to be in compliance with all of them. In fact, the departments ratings were good enough to earn an "advanced accreditation" award recognition. 

"You should be proud," Crocker said. "Accreditation is not an easy task and it requires a lot of work."

The standards that were reviewed included firearms training, use of force, mutual aid agreements, social media policies, how background checks are conducted, tactical team training, domestic violence training, participation in multi-jurisdictional task forces, health protocols, fire codes, monitoring detainees and interrogation techniques. 

"We're doing what's best for the people we serve," said Cranston Police Chief Col. Marco Palombo Jr., who noted the accreditation process was a team effort that involved many people in the department.

The distinction follows national accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies last year — a highly-prized distinction that only the best and most up-to-date departments qualify for.

The state accreditation will last for a three-year period, ending in Nov. 2016. During the three year period, the department "will be committed to maintaining compliance with all standards, complying with all new and amended standards and ensuring that the agency continues to operate utilizing the best established practices in law enforcement," according to a release.