A team of assessors from the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Accreditation Group will examine all aspects of the Whitewater Police Department’s policy and procedures management, operation, and support services beginning June 23.
As part of the onsite assessment, agency employees and members of the community are invited to offer comments by contacting the assessors via telephone, between 1 and 3 p.m., June 24 by calling (262) 473-1377. Telephone comments are limited to 10 minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with WILEAG standards. A copy of the standards is available at the Whitewater Police Department, 312 W. Whitewater St.
“Verification by the team that the Whitewater Police Department meets the board’s state-of-the-art standards is part of a voluntary process to gain accreditation – a highly valued recognition of law enforcement professional excellence,” Whitewater Chief of Police Lisa Otterbacher said.
“The law enforcement accreditation system establishes a uniform set of “best practices” and is the essence of professional policing,” Otterbacher said. “The Whitewater Police Department must comply with 238 standards in order to gain accredited status. Every standard is intended to make an agency more professional while at the same time, improving its services to the community.”
The Accreditation Manager for the Whitewater Police Department is Captain Brian Uhl.
“The assessment team is composed of law enforcement practitioners from similar agencies. The assessors will review written material, interview individuals, and visit offices and the places where compliance can be witnessed. The assessors are: Chief Tom Franks, Team Leader; Chief Dennis Nasci; and Sgt. Brian Vaughn,” Uhl said. “Once the WILEAG Board’s assessors complete their review of the agency, they report back to the full board, which will then decide if the agency is to be granted accredited status.”
Persons wishing to offer written comments about the Whitewater Police Department’s ability to meet the standards for accreditation can write to: Wisconsin Law Enforcement Accreditation Group, 8133 W. Raymond Ln., West Allis, WI 53219.
Accreditation status is granted for three years, during which time the agency must submit annual reports attesting continued compliance with those standards under which it was initially accredited.
For more information contact Uhl at (262) 473‐1371.
