22 September 2022- Waynesboro becomes the first police organization in Franklin County to be accredited by the PLEAC. Only 13% of the state’s police agencies are accredited in the program. Currently Chambersburg PD applying for the same accreditation, which would make them the second in the county. Full details from WPD below.
The members of the Waynesboro Police Department and Waynesboro Mayor Richard A. Starliper are pleased to announce that the Waynesboro Police Department has received agency accreditation from the Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission (PLEAC).
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, on 02 and 03 May 2022, conducted on-site assessments. The auditors recommended to the Accreditation Commission that Waynesboro be granted accreditation. On 26 July 2022 Chief Sourbier met with the Accreditation Commission. 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.
Attaining accredited status is a significant accomplishment for the members of the department and the community. Currently, only 147 of the 1,117 law enforcement agencies in the Commonwealth are PLEAC accredited. Chief Sourbier stated, “I am proud of the members of the police department and grateful to the consultants who assisted with the successful completion of this endeavor. The accreditation program will assist in sustaining our department commitment to strive for excellence in service to our community.”
