Fairhaven Police Awarded State Certification Status

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2019

FAIRHAVEN -- Chief Michael J. Myers is pleased to announce that the Fairhaven Police Department achieved State Certification from the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission (MPAC) on Tuesday, Sept. 10.

The department was recognized for its achievement during an awards ceremony at The Connors Center in Dover.

Certification is a self-initiated evaluation process by which police departments strive to meet and maintain the highest standards of law enforcement, and is considered the best measure of a police department against the established best practices around the country and region.

"Being certified through MPAC is a great achievement for our department and highlights the high standards that we have at the Fairhaven Police Department," Chief Myers said. "I want to commend the officers who worked hard through the certification process and we look forward to working toward earning full accreditation."

The certification process is long and rigorous. It involves both an internal self-review and an external assessment by the Commission’s team of subject matter experts.

The MPAC program requires that departments meet all 159 mandatory standards.

These carefully selected standards include: Jurisdiction and Mutual Aid, Collection and Preservation of Evidence, Communications, Working Conditions, Crime Analysis, Community Involvement, Financial Management, Internal Affairs, Juvenile Operations, Patrol Administration, Public Information, Records, Traffic, Training, Drug Enforcement and Victim/Witness Assistance.

Earlier this year, the department was evaluated by a team of Commission-appointed assessors who found the department to be in full compliance with all of the necessary standards required for certification.

The Fairhaven Police’s certification has been granted for a period of three years. Participation in the program is strictly voluntary.

(From left to right: Fairhaven Police Lt. David Sobral, Lt. Kevin Kobza (Accreditation Manager), Chief Michael Myers, Captain Michael Botelho and Chelsea Police Chief Brian Keyes on Tuesday, Sept. 10. (Photo courtesy Fairhaven Police Department)