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Accreditation WorksCase Number 40
The second incident occurred during the service of a search warrant by the St. Louis County Police Tactical Operations Unit. During the entry to a known drug house, an officer used deadly force, which resulted in the death of a suspect. The Department also reviewed this incident and the officer’s use of deadly force was determined to be justified. A subsequent review by the grand jury resulted in no criminal charges being filed.
As a result of these police actions, some members of the community called for an additional independent review of these incidents. In response, the St. Louis County Council formed a Police Practices Review Committee. Ten community representatives were appointed to this review committee. They were given the task of reviewing these two incidents and making recommendations relating to police practices, procedures, training, and policy. During the Committee’s one-year review, the police department was requested to provide all written policies and procedures, training curriculum, and related documentation. In addition, the Committee heard testimony from police employees and community representatives.
During this process, it became clear that the department was well prepared to withstand any review of our policy, procedures, and training because in part, we had already completed the CALEA Accreditation process. By voluntarily submitting to CALEA Accreditation, it became apparent to the Review Committee members that our department had conformed to the highest standards of our profession. The Police Practices Review Committee stated in their final report that they were impressed with the high caliber of the St. Louis County Police Department personnel, their ongoing training, and the department’s overall performance as evidenced by its recent reaccreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc.
Immediately, the value of CALEA accreditation was again made clear. In fact, the Chairman of the Police Practices Review Committee attended the CALEA public hearing, which was held during our on-site assessment for reaccreditation. He spoke highly of the professionalism that he saw first hand during their review. The final report of the Police Practices Review Committee recommends that the St. Louis County Council and the Board of Police Commissioners seek the necessary charter authority to standardize certain minimum policies and practices among the 60 police departments within St. Louis County, and address the issue of appropriate police accreditation throughout the entire county.
I supported the formation of the Police Practices Review Committee because I was confident of the level of professionalism our department had attained and I recognized any review would only confirm to the public what we already knew. The CALEA Accreditation process was instrumental in helping prepare our agency for independent reviews of this kind and the end result of the accreditation process can only help improve an agency. The CALEA Accreditation process can at times be difficult, but the end result of increased public confidence in the agency is well worth the effort.
Colonel Ronald A. Battelle, Chief of PoliceSt. Louis County (MO) Police Department
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