In 2012, the Colonial Heights Police Department was the first agency in the tri-cities to achieve accredited status.  Each year since then, our agency has worked to ensure that we are meeting the requirements of the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission by providing “proofs” of compliance for more than 700 standards.  In December of 2016, three certified VLEPSC assessors visited our agency for two days, thoroughly inspecting our operation from top to bottom.  The result was that we received our first reaccreditation certificate and a nearly flawless report from the assessors.  This was a fantastic accomplishment and a tribute to the hard work and professionalism that our agency displays each and every day to the citizens that we serve.  Accreditation is not only important to our community to ensure professional police service, but it also provides a working environment that our employees can be proud of.          

According to VLEPSC:

“Accreditation increases the law enforcement agency’s ability to prevent and control crime through more effective and efficient delivery of law enforcement services to the community it serves.  Accreditation enhances community understanding of the law enforcement agency and its role in the community as well as its goals and objectives.  Citizen confidence in the policies and practices of the agency is increased.  Accreditation, in conjunction with the philosophy of community policing, commits the agency to a broad range of programs (such as crime prevention) that directly benefit the public.  Accreditation creates a forum in which police and    citizens work together to control and prevent crime.  This partnership will help citizens to understand the challenges that confront law enforcement.  Law enforcement will, in turn, receive clear direction from the community about its expectations. Thus, a common set of goals and objectives will be arrived at and implemented.”