The document discusses the evolution of modern community policing models from more traditional professional policing models. It notes that community policing expands the focus of police work to include collaborative problem solving and quality of life issues. This places new demands on measuring police effectiveness given an expanded set of stakeholders with sometimes conflicting views. Accreditation programs help police departments objectively justify their work and meet best practices standards, improving professional credibility while also reducing risk and liability.

2. The professional model of policing places great emphasis on addressing criminal
issues and social and physical disorder. The modern Community Policing model
expands this focus to collaborative problem solving within the community and
addressing quality of life issues heretofore not considered within the realm of
“police work”. This emphasis places new demands on police leadership.
Historically, political leaders within the community considered crime rate reports,
arrest rates, response times and traffic enforcement results in evaluating the
effectiveness and quality of their police departments. But under the umbrella of
today’s Community Police Model, the list of stakeholders goes well beyond the
local political leadership. Whose views and opinions count? The police, the elected
officials, the business community, the media, schools, the faith community, the
non- profit and social service organizations, homeowner associations, etc, are all
stakeholders many times with conflicting agendas. The expansion of the scope of
police work, including the identification of stakeholders who may not have been
previously considered, makes measuring the success and quality of the local
municipal police department substantially more difficult, particularly in an
environment of extremely strict budget considerations. Professional police chiefs
and the political leadership of their community are now compelled to go beyond
mere opinion and justify the local police work objectively and professionally
through evaluations and certifications.

4. Why do we need to do it???

5. Professional Credibility
Risk and Liability
Reduction

6. In the 1960’s and 70’s Law Enforcement in the
U.S. was seen as:
Uneducated
Poorly Trained
Unprofessional
Brutal
An Instrument to deny Civil Rights of
citizens

7. President Johnson, before leaving office, created the President’s
Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of
Justice.
Report issued in 1967 found many failings and made many
recommendations including better training and higher education
for police.

8. The 1980’s brought the beginning of
Professionalization of Police Departments
◦ Increasing Educational Requirements
◦ Development of a “Code of Ethics”
◦ Development of Internal Affairs and Professional
Standards Units
◦ Development of State Police Officer Selection Tests
(Civil Service and Merit Commissions)

9. During the 1990’s Professional Efforts
Continue
◦ Development of Standards and Best Practices in
other States
◦ Police Chiefs Associations, non-profits, and even
other State Governments create State Accreditation
Programs for Police Departments.

10. ILACP began Accreditation efforts for Illinois in
2003. ILACP Membership wanted a method
to improve municipal law enforcement
operations in Illinois.
In 2008, ILACP, RICP, ILCJIA, IPSP and IML
partnered together and implemented the
Illinois Law Enforcement Accreditation
Program.

11. Voluntary process where law enforcement
agencies can prove their compliance with 182
Best Practice Standards for Illinois Law
Enforcement.
Program is much less expensive than other
Accreditation Programs
Much easier to administer
Tailored to what Illinois agencies need

12. Once Recognized, an Agency maintains
Recognized status for 4 years by submitting
annual reports and proving they continue to
meet the standards.

13. The Accreditation Program requires agencies
to provide:
◦ Clear and consistent policies
◦ Training in all critical areas
◦ Feedback on employee performance
◦ Proper and necessary equipment

14. Clear and consistent policies help to keep you
and your department out of trouble!
Policies should provide clear direction on
proper and acceptable procedure. Does not
leave it up to arbitrary decisions based on
who is involved or who is making the
decision.

15. Accreditation requires adherence to all state
regulations and Law Enforcement Best
Practices including:
◦ Officer Selection and Training
◦ Records Management
◦ Property and Evidence Management

16. Development of appropriate policies on how
things should be done reduces the risk of
legal liability and enhances an agencies ability
to defend against lawsuits.
Officers following well developed policies
reduce the risk of physical injury and are less
likely of being held personally liable in civil
court for their actions.

17. Developing well thought out Policies and
Procedures according to professionally
recognized best standards and practices and
following those procedures…
Protects the community, agency and the
officer

18. The Accreditation Process requires a review of
your agency by Trained Outside Assessors
who review your policies and procedures,
your operations, and your facilities and
equipment.
You don’t have to have the best of everything
– but the Best Practices ensures you are doing
things the right way!

19. Professionals in all fields recognize the value
of meeting established standards, of being
assessed by independent assessors, and
ascribing to a code of ethics.

20. ILEAP Accreditation provides that credibility
for Illinois Law Enforcement!
It provides a badge of professional credibility
◦ for your community,
◦ for your local law enforcement agency
◦ and provides professional recognition from law
enforcement peers.

21. Compliance with the Best Practices will help
keep your agency from being labeled the
“Keystone Kops.”

22. Compliance with the Best
Practices Standards Builds
Community Confidence in your
Law Enforcement agency.

23. Risk and Liability Reduction
And
Professional Credibility
Two Really Good Reasons!