West Chester Police Earn Accreditation Honor

WEST CHESTER — The West Chester police department was awarded a Certificate of Law Enforcement Accreditation from the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association, an achievement earned by only 13% of the 1,117 law enforcement departments in the Pennsylvania.

Scott L. Bohn, executive director of the association, presented the certificate to Police Chief James Moorehead during a recent borough council meeting.

“It’s my honor to present the accreditation to the police chief and mayor in person,” Bohn said.

To achieve the honor, a department must follow a set of high standards that include reducing risks of lawsuits, being accountable to the community, increasing accountability to the public and elected officials and more.

The department is required to submit an annual report attesting to the continuation of following the procedures.

The department has 40 officers patrolling the 1.85 square-mile borough.

James Adams, the association’s accreditation manager, said the award shows the department is engaged in the best standards of professional law enforcement.

Mayor Lillian DeBaptiste said she is very proud of all of the officers.

“Achieving this status is laudable,” the mayor said.

The mayor said the police officers work hard and are dedicated despite any obstacle they are confronted with.