WAYNESBORO–The Waynesboro Police Department has received agency accreditation from the Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission.
Accreditation is a voluntary program focused on establishing a credible framework for evaluating agency practices and procedures. The program is designed to develop agency competencies and foster improved law enforcement community relations while ensuring agency accountability to the public and elected officials.
PLEAC has established 125 best practices standards regarding agency administration, operations, personnel and training. To achieve accreditation, a department must establish and implement policies and procedures which reflect these best practice standards.
A group of three auditors are then selected by PLEAC to review the procedures and ensure that agency files and reports reflect the department’s adherence to these standards. Auditors reviewed agency policy and report submissions virtually and conducted on-site assessments.
The auditors recommended to the Accreditation Commission that Waynesboro be granted accreditation. The Commission voted unanimously to grant accreditation to the Waynesboro Police Department for a period of three years. During this three-year period, the agency must submit proofs of compliance which demonstrate that the agency remains in compliance with the standards. In 2025 the department will be reassessed and required to seek re-accreditation.
Currently, only 147 of the 1,117 law enforcement agencies in the Commonwealth are PLEAC accredited. “I am proud of the members of the police department and grateful to the consultants who assisted with the successful completion of this endeavor,” said Waynesboro Police Chief Jim Sourbier. “The accreditation program will assist in sustaining our department commitment to strive for excellence in service to our community.”
