Newtown Police Department

Receives State Accreditation

The town police department has received a “tier one” accreditation from the state’s accrediting agency for municipal law enforcement agencies, recognizing professionalism in policing.

In recent ceremonies at the state Municipal Police Academy in Meriden, Newtown Police Chief Michael Kehoe accepted a certificate of accreditation on behalf of the 43-member police department.

The police department has been working toward the accreditation for the past several years. Such accreditation is a voluntary process through which municipal law enforcement agencies seek to demonstrate a commitment to excellence.

The police department received a “tier one” or basic accreditation in a system in which there are three levels of accreditation. The certification lasts for three years, after which recertification is necessary to maintain the status. The tier one certification concerns standards pertaining to liability and risk.

The certification addresses a range of policies that police maintain concerning various law enforcement situations, explained Lieutenant George Sinko, who oversaw the accreditation process for local police. Such policies concern matters such as the police’s use of force and police pursuit driving, he noted.

Police Chief Michael Kehoe said the accreditation demonstrates to the community that the police department is committed to professionalism. Police plan to pursue a “tier two” accreditation, he said.