Tony Perez, deputy commissioner for the New York State Department of Criminal Justice Services Office of Public Safety, presented the village of East Syracuse Police Department with a certificate of accreditation Monday, July 1.
Perez said the New York Law Enforcement Agency Accreditation program was established to provide police departments with a means to evaluate and improve their overall effectiveness and the performance of their staff.
“Accreditation is a formal recognition that the agency’s policy and practices meet or exceed 133 standards in the areas of administration, training and operation,” he said.
He said becoming accredited is difficult, and require a commitment of police department staff, time and resources, as well as a dedication to the ideals of the program. Accreditation lasts five years.
“The East Syracuse Village Police Department was first accredited in 2002, so that commitment and dedication is evident in this agency,” Perez said.
Police Chief Donald Morris received the certificate of accreditation on behalf of the police department. Investigator Michael Birchmeyer was presented with the John Kimble O’Neil Certificate of Achievement in recognition of his leadership and dedication as accreditation program manager.
