One Centre County police department is looking to use state dollars to achieve accreditation, something they’ve been working toward for several years.
The Ferguson Township Police Department is seeking a $13,750 grant to help them with the accreditation process.
The grant would come through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, through its Justice Reinvestment Funding initiative.
Ferguson Township Police Department’s Chief Diane Conrad said the accreditation process is extensive and time consuming, which is why she said the department has fallen short of achieving it in years past. She said all of their policies and procedures are in place, but they’ve missed deadline because of staffing shortfalls and incidents that come up, pulling their resources away from the documentation process.
There are currently 20 sworn officers with the Ferguson Township Police Department and two civilian records staff members.
In order to be accredited, the department must adopt over 100 policy standards that meet or exceed those set by the PA Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission. They consider best practice standards when it comes to use of force, handling arrested persons and evidence, assisting crime victims, communication protocols and training.
This grant funding would provide staff support and software needed to collect and prepare the more than 500 documents of proof to show their compliance.
Conrad said about 10 percent of the police departments in Pennsylvania are accredited, including State College and Patton Township departments in Centre County.
The application for the grant is due February 28.