MEQUON — The Wisconsin Law Enforcement Accreditation Group (WILEAG) awarded full accreditation status to the Mequon Police Department in June. The designation follows the completion of nearly two years of work by the department, which culminated with a three-day onsite inspection in April. Representing the department at the award ceremony were Mequon Police Chief Patrick Pryor, Police Capt. Mark Riley and Officer Kristen James.
Accreditation is a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence. Among more than 500 law enforcement agencies across the state, only 46 have received full accreditation, according to a city of Mequon press release.
The Mequon Police Department is honored to be one of a select few law enforcement agencies in Wisconsin to receive accredited status through WILEAG, the press release said.
“I am extremely proud of the members of the Mequon Police Department for completing this monumental task within such a short period of time,” Pryor said.
The Wisconsin Law Enforcement Accreditation Group is the governing body for State accreditation in Wisconsin. Accreditation is a voluntary program that requires agencies to comply with industry benchmarks across four basic areas: policy and procedures, administration, operations, and support services. The program consists of over 200 standards, which include over 600 separate dimensions, that incorporate law enforcement best practices.
“WILEAG’s recognition of the Mequon Police Department as one of Wisconsin’s leading law enforcement agencies is a testament to each and every member of the Department who strive to serve and protect Mequon and our neighboring communities around the clock, each and every day of the year,” said Mequon City Administrator William Jones, “In today’s rapidly evolving world, agencies like the Mequon Police Department must remain ever vigilant in pursuing a path of continual process improvement, so as to ensure the highest levels of service to the citizens we serve.”
Agencies are evaluated every three years by a team of assessors. The assessment team is composed of law enforcement professionals from other agencies throughout the state. The assessors review written material, interview individuals, receive community input on Department activities, and tour the agency to determine compliance. Accreditation status is granted for three years, during which time agencies must submit annual reports attesting to continued compliance with the program’s identified standards.
More information about the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Accreditation Group program is available at www.wileag.info.