WYOMING, Mich. -- An assessor from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) will examine the Wyoming Police Department's policies and procedures next week.
The assessor will arrive Monday and conduct an on-site review over a four-day period.
It is the final step in a four-year accreditation cycle that takes a thorough look at the police department's management, operations and support services. For Wyoming Public Safety, this would be a re-accreditation.
"The agency will come in an assess us from the inside out," Lt. Andrew Koeller said in a telephone interview.
Wyoming Police said the commission's accreditation is considered the gold standard in public safety professionalism. It provides independent verification that a law-enforcement agency meets internationally recognized best practices when it comes to things such as accountability and transparency.
"They hold our police department to high standards. CALEA is an international organization, and it holds us to the highest of standards in police work," Lt. Koeller said.
The top-down examination will begin with the assessor reviewing all of the Wyoming Police Department's policies. The Director of Public Safety is Kimberly Koster. In 2022, she was appointed to the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Koster's three-year term Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police on MCOLES is scheduled to end on December 31, 2025.
The CALEA accreditation provides independent verification that a law-enforcement agency meets internationally recognized best practices when it comes to things such as accountability and transparency.
"Making sure they fit the 460-plus standards that CALEA holds every police department to that's accredited with them," Koeller said.
Wyoming Public Safety is on the cusp of receiving CALEA's Tier 2 accreditation. That is an Advanced Law Enforcement Accreditation program that requires an agency to meet all Tier 1 standards, plus additional, more advanced standards across all chapters of the standards manual.
"This assessor goes through to make sure that what we're writing in policy is what we're doing. And what we're doing is based on their standards. And their standards are based on best practices police work across the country, and other countries, as well," Koeller said.
Adhering to those standards maintains the Wyoming Police Department's commitment to the public and to its administration, including police officers and civilian staff.
In turn, that leads to the best possible service to those who reside, work in and visit the city.
Lt. Koeller said that includes a commitment to honesty and transparency.
WOOD Radio asked him what distinguishes the WPD from other police agencies. The department has been largely controversy-free for many years, despite serving a city of nearly 80,000 residents and being Grand Rapids' largest suburb.
"Well, I think one of the biggest things we're doing is this accreditation," Koeller replied. "There are only 12 law enforcement agencies in the State of Michigan (that have this particular accreditation). I know several agencies have moved to other accreditations. This one, specifically, holds us to that high standard and ensures that we're reviewing our policies yearly. That we're enacting new policies."
That includes reviewing how traffic stops are handled, how body cameras are use, how things are stored.
Per a Wyoming Police news release:
For the Wyoming community, accreditation ensures:
• Enhanced public trust, by confirming that department practices are ethical,
transparent, and consistent with national standards.
• Improved service delivery, through policies that promote efficiency, fairness,
and responsiveness to community needs.
• Reduced risk and liability, by ensuring clear, accountable procedures for
critical incidents and daily operations.
• Commitment to continuous improvement, with each accreditation cycle
driving new opportunities to strengthen public safety services.
As part of the assessment process, the department invites members of the community
to share feedback through the CALEA Public Comment Portal. Community members
are encouraged to share comments regarding the department’s compliance with CALEA
standards, community engagement, quality of service, and overall professionalism.
Comments may include commendations or concerns and can be submitted directly to
CALEA through the Public Comment Portal at: https://cimrs2.calea.org/811
Feedback provided through the portal goes directly to CALEA and will be acknowledged
upon receipt. The purpose of this process is to gather valuable input that helps the
Wyoming Police Department and CALEA continue to strengthen the standards of
professional policing.
Individuals who wish to share comments or questions directly with the Wyoming Police
Department may also do so by calling 616-530-7300, visiting the department in person,
or submitting an online message through the Police Department Contact Form on the
City of Wyoming website.
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