Newtown Borough Police Department Earns Accreditation

NEWTOWN BOROUGH, PA — The Newtown Borough Police Department has been awarded accreditation by the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association, making it one of only 167 departments in Pennsylvania to earn the designation.

Newtown Borough Police Chief James Sabath announced the award during Tuesday night’s borough council meeting where he was joined by Sgt. Sean Orr and Corporal James Warunek.

“After a year and a half of work we were able to achieve accreditation through the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association,” said Chief Sabath. “I brought our accreditation plaque, which we took a lot of time to earn,” he told the council.

“Sgt. Sean Orr and Corporal James Warunek worked tirelessly in preparing the department for it,” said the chief. “It was a big accomplishment for the borough and we’re proud to represent the residents with an accredited department.”

Standing in front of the Certificate of Accreditation are, from left, Council President Emily Heinz, Councilors Gail Foley and Julia Woldorf, Mayor John Burke, Councilor Kris Bauman, Police Chief James Sabath, Sgt. Sean Orr, Borough Manager Craig Totaro, Corporal James Warunek, Councilor Gina Tognini and Councilor Josh Phillips. (Photo by Judy S. Musto)

According to Chief Sabath, "The accreditation program is run by the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association. They set forth 125 standards that all police departments are required to meet in order to meet accreditation. Not only do you have to have the policies and procedures that meet those standards, you also have to go through testing where they test to make sure those standards are being employed.”

During the accreditation process, a team of assessors visits the department to review its policy manual and to determine whether all the officers and the agency are complying with the standards. The visit also includes a sit-down, closed-door conversation with the chief of police and his command staff.

“It’s not just a sticker program,” said Accreditation Program Coordinator James Adams. “Every year a very detailed annual report has to be submitted. They have to attest that they continue to comply with all standards.”

Accreditation, said Adams, “means you rank right up there with the best of the best in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It’s quite an accomplishment,” he said.

So what’s the value in being an accredited department?

Accreditation, he said, puts police departments ahead of the game. “It also shows that your police chief truly understands risk management,” he added.

“Studies show that when accredited agencies of similar size are compared to non-accredited agencies the number of civil suits filed drops dramatically. And when there is a civil suit the payouts are much less,” said Adams. “Why is that? Because they are already complying with best practices and policies.”

In addition, accreditation improves law enforcement and community relations; increases employee input, interaction, and confidence in the agency; enlarges the outlook and viewpoints of managers, officers, and employees; identifies and highlights the capabilities and competence of the agency; furnishes a solid foundation for the agency to build upon for further progress; and provides reliable methods to improve essential management procedures.

It also extends agency accountability to the public and elected officials; enhances planning and innovative activities by all agency personnel; develops improved methods for providing services to the community; and encourages problem-solving activities within the agency.

“Now that we have been accredited once, the trick is to stay accredited,” said Chief Sabath. “You have to prove every year that you’re still doing everything you have to do as far as policies and procedures. The work has really just begun,” he said.