SOMERVILLE POLICE SEEKING ACCREDITATION

  

The Somerville Police Department is in the final stages of accreditation from the Texas Police Chiefs Association. 

Of the 2,700 law enforcement agencies in the state, fewer than 200 hold the accreditation.  Among them are the Brenham Police, Bryan Police, Texas A&M University Police, and Prairie View A&M University Police.

The accreditation is a voluntary program from agencies looking to uphold the highest standards of service, risk reduction, and individual rights protection.

Somerville Police Chief Jake Sullivan said they have spent two years fine tuning their compliance with 174  best practices covering procedures on deadly force, vehicle pursuits, suspect searches, evidence handling, and more.

Sullivan added that they have submitted their written requirements and are currently waiting on a two-day site visit, where their efforts will be evaluated, submitted to a review committee, and then the committee decides on accreditation.

Accreditation is awarded for a four-year period, and during that time, the law enforcement agency must submit annual reports showing compliance with performance related standards.