Braintree Police Awarded With State 'Certification'

BRAINTREE, MA — Braintree police received a state certification from the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission, Police Chief Mark Dubois announced Monday.

The certification is a major step towards the honor of accreditation. The program sets standards for law enforcement and is symbolic of an agency's commitment to professionalism and excellence, according to the Massacusetts Police Accreditation Commission.

Very few South Shore communities have earned the honor, and Braintree is now on a path to join Abington, Weymouth, Norwood and Randolph as the region's accredited departments.

Dubois, who achieved accreditation while serving as Maynard's police chief, said there are several benefits to certification, including codifying the department’s policies and procedures, promoting accountability and enhancing the department’s reputation, while at the same time increasing the public’s confidence in Braintree police. Mayor Charles Kokoros congratulated the department for receiving the certificate.

"I am extremely proud of the services provided by our police department," Kokoros said. "Achieving the prestigious status of certification is a significant accomplishment and just another example of the great work done by the department every day. This accomplishment should further reassure our community that the men and women of the Braintree Police Department are prepared, trained and ready to respond to any and all public safety needs in Braintree and will continue to provide an exemplary level of police services to our residents."

In order to achieve certification, Braintree police were required to meet and maintain standards in critical areas including police management, operations and technical support activities. These standards include areas like policy development, emergency response planning, training, communications, property and evidence handling, use of force, vehicular pursuit, prisoner transportation and holding facilities.

"The Department has been working hard towards certification and, under the direction of Lieutenant David Del Papa, was able to successfully complete the self-assessment and on-site review of the 159 standards established by the MPAC," Dubois said. "Lieutenant Del Papa has been an integral part of the department’s success in this achievement and I want to recognize his efforts, along with the department-wide contributions, to achieving this important status."

The 159 standards included in the certification program are part of the 257 mandatory standards for accreditation, making certification a significant milestone towards accreditation. Dubois said the department is continuing to prepare for accelerated accreditation and anticipates the on-site assessment to occur before the end of the calendar year.