Burlington PD To Undergo Voluntary Re-Accreditation Assessment

BURLINGTON, MA — The Burlington Police Department has announced that it will undergo an on-site, state re-accreditation assessment in late January and early February.

The three-day assessment, which is voluntary for police departments, will be conducted by the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission (MPAC). The organization's assessment team is due in Burlington on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1-2.

While in Burlington, the MPAC's assessment team will examine Burlington PD's policies, procedures, operations and facilities. Verification that the Burlington PD meets MPAC standards is part of the process for the department to maintain accreditation.

The Burlington PD received state certification in 2007 and full state accreditation in 2011. The department has successfully received re-accreditation every three years since 2011.

"Achieving accreditation is a highly valued recognition of law enforcement professional excellence," Burlington Police Chief Thomas P. Browne said. "We look forward to the visit from the assessors, whose feedback will be vital to maintaining the highest levels of service and professionalism to our community."

According to the MPAC, the accreditation program consists of 257 mandatory standards and 125 optional standards. To achieve accreditation, the Burlington PD must meet all the mandatory standards and 55 percent of the optional standards.

Anyone interested in learning more about the accreditation program is asked to call Chief Browne or the Burlington PD's Accreditation Manager Lt. Thomas Carlson at 781-272-1212.