TOWNSEND — Chief James Sartell is pleased to report that the Townsend Police Department received a $106,515 federal grant to support the department’s pursuit of accreditation with the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission.
The grant comes from the Fiscal Year 2023 Supporting Law Enforcement Agencies in Seeking Accreditation – Community Policing Development Accreditation Grant, and it will help fund the department’s efforts to earn accreditation.
MPAC Accreditation is a self-initiated, lengthy and comprehensive evaluation process. Participating departments complete an internal self-review and an external assessment by MPAC experts. The process is a voluntary evaluation by which police departments strive to meet and maintain the top standards of law enforcement. It is considered the best measure for a police department to compare itself against the established best practices around the country and region.
“I want to thank the Department of Justice and the COPS Office for this important grant, which will enable us to pursue accreditation,” said Chief Sartell. “The benefits of law enforcement accreditation are numerous and far-reaching. Accredited agencies demonstrate a commitment to excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement. The accreditation process promotes best practices in policing, encourages adherence to legal and ethical standards, and enhances the overall quality of law enforcement services provided to the community.”