Swampscott Police Receive State Certification

The Swampscott Police on Wednesday received state certification from the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission.

The certification is self-initiated and voluntary. It shows that the department strives "to meet and maintain standards that have been established for the profession, by the profession," according to a release from the Accreditation Commission.

According to the release, certification:

• provides a basis to correct deficiencies before they become public problems.
• requires agencies to commit policies and procedures to writing.
• promotes accountability among agency personnel and the evenhanded application of policies.
• provides a means of independent evaluation of agency operations.
• minimizes an agency’s exposure to liability, builds a stronger defense against lawsuits, and has the
• potential to reduce liability insurance costs.
• enhances the reputation of the agency and increases the public’s confidence in it.

“Achieving Certification from the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission is considered a very significant accomplishment and is a recognition that is highly regarded by the law enforcement community,” said Donna Taylor Mooers, the Commission’s Executive Director, in the release."

The Swampscott Police Department was assessed in May by a team of Commission-appointed assessors. Chief Ron Madigan appointed Capt. John Alex to serve as the Department’s Accreditation Manager. He was assisted by Lts. Thomas Stephens, Paul Bartram, Gary Lord, and Joseph Kable, and Sgt. Richard McCarriston.

The department will now try to achieve the Commission's highest award of Accreditation.

Courtesy photo caption: (left to right) Chief Ronald Madigan, Capt. John Alex, and Lt. Gary Lord.