Palmer Police Accreditation Plan Progressing

Now that Palmer Township Police Chief Larry Palmer has a year under his belt, he plans on focusing efforts to reach state accreditation for his department.

Palmer stated recently that his department is on track to meet accreditation by March 2014 with certification to follow in April or May, just in time for the state Police Association Meeting in June. 

"We're chugging along with accreditation," Palmer said recently before a Board of Supervisors meeting. "We just want to continue and finish the process."

In becoming Palmer's new police chief last April, Palmer emphasized that a priority was getting the department accredited by the state.

Accreditation standards mean that a police department meets specific criteria set by national and state commissions.

The accreditation process establishes goals, objectives, policies, practices and a mission statement that are continually reviewed to ensure that a police department is up to date on procedural changes and changes in the law.

In September, Palmer hired former Easton police captain Michael Vangelo to serve as sergeant of the Office of Professional Standards, a position the chief said was created to help Palmer's police department reach and receive accreditation.

Palmer initially hoped to gain accreditation by this July.

"Several years ago, I brought to the board the idea of having our department accredited," Supervisor Bob Lammi said. "I saw the value of it for consistency and standard operating procedures. As a result, you then have a much more efficient operation."