MERIDEN— In ceremonies earlier this month, the Newtown Police Department received a Tier One reaccreditation from the state’s Police Officer Standards and Training Council (POSTC).

Milford Police Chief Keith Mello, who is the POSTC chairman, presented the award on November 8 to Newtown Police Chief James Viadero, Lieutenant David Kullgren, and Sergeant Jeffrey Silver. Lt Kullgren is the police department’s accreditation manager.

Newtown police have held Tier 1 accreditation status from POSTC since 2005. Such status is subject to periodic review.

According to POSTC, accreditation is a process designed to evaluate, measure, and update a law enforcement organization to commonly accepted professional standards and objectives.

The professional standards are specific requirements which must be met by an organization and its members through recognition of, and compliance with, written directives, policies, procedures and practices designed to support desirable professional objectives. The professional objectives for law enforcement agencies include:

*Greater effectiveness and efficiency in crime prevention and control.

*More effective and efficient delivery of law enforcement services.

*Productive cooperation and coordination with other law enforcement agencies.

*Comprehensive and appropriate training of agency personnel.

*Reduction of agency and employee vulnerability to civil claims.

In August, the Newtown Police Department underwent a periodic reaccreditation review by POSTC inspectors. The inspectors examined the department’s written policies and procedures as they relate to Tier 1 state accreditation standards to verify the department’s compliance with those standards.

The accreditation inspectors are members of law enforcement agencies in the state. They review written material, conduct interviews, and visit offices where they can find examples of accreditation compliance.

Accreditation, which is available in three progressive levels from Tier 1 to Tier 3, is a voluntary process that signifies recognition of law enforcement professional excellence.