The Sequim Police Department once again earned accreditation from the Washington Association of Sheriffs & Police Chiefs (WASPC), making it one of about 75 state-accredited police departments out of more than 260 law enforcement agencies in Washington state.

“Re-accreditation demonstrates our commitment to professional service to our community by ensuring we are following best practices in policing,” Sequim Police Chief Mike Hill said.

The Sequim Police Department became an accredited agency in 2016 and has successfully maintained it through reassessment every four years, he noted.

”I’m proud of our officers and staff for their continued dedication to excellent service to everyone who lives, works, and visits the city of Sequim,” Hill said.

The purpose of law enforcement agency accreditation, local law enforcement officials said, is to professionalize the law enforcement industry by providing a review process to certify that agencies are operating under the best industry practices and standards.

“This reflects adherence and performance to high standards every day, with all work processes and performance over all four years,” they said.

Standards that are audited are: goals and objectives; role and authority; use of force; management, staffing, organization and utilization of personnel; records management; information technology; unusual occurrences; health and safety; fiscal management; recruitment and selection; training; performance evaluation; code of conduct; internal affairs; patrol function; investigative function; evidence and property control function; and prisoner security.

To learn more about the accreditation program, visit waspc.org/accreditation.

For more information, call the Sequim Police Department at 360-683-7227.