PA Capitol Police Department Receives State, International Reaccreditation

HARRISBURG, Pa., Aug. 9, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- State General Services Secretary Curt Topper today announced the Pennsylvania Capitol Police Department recently received its fourth state reaccreditation through the Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission, or PLEAC, and its third international – second Advanced – Law Enforcement Reaccreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, or CALEA.

"The PA Capitol Police are a dedicated group of law enforcement professionals who, under the leadership of Chief Joe Jacob, have continued to find ways to improve the ways they carry out their duty to protect those who visit and work in the Capitol Complex and other state buildings," Topper said. "These reaccreditations are a direct result of their hard work and dedication to professionalism and continuous improvement."

The PLEAC Program was introduced by the PA Chiefs of Police Association in 2001. It was designed and developed by professional law enforcement executives to provide a reasonable and cost effective plan for the professionalization of law enforcement agencies within the Commonwealth. The PA Capitol Police Department was first accredited in 2005 and have since received reaccreditations in 2007, 2010, 2013 and now in 2016.

CALEA was created in 1979 as a credentialing authority through the joint efforts of law enforcement's major executive associations. CALEA accreditation is renewed every three years with a goal to improve the delivery of public safety services, primarily by maintaining a body of standards developed by public safety practitioners covering a wide range of up-to-date public safety initiatives; establishing and administering an accreditation process; and recognizing professional excellence. PA Capitol Police Department received its initial accreditation in 2007 and was reaccredited in 2010, with advanced accreditation in  2013 and now in 2016.

In its assessment of the PA Capitol Police Department, CALEA officials stated, "The Pennsylvania Capitol Police department has exhibited a true dedication, not only to the CALEA Standards for Law Enforcement Accreditation, but also to the intent and spirit of accreditation. They have exceeded many of the standards, used the standards to excel in their professionalism and improved the lives of those citizens they are sworn to protect and serve."

Secretary Topper pointed to the improvements Capitol Police have made including the establishment of the Special Response Team (SRT Team); the addition of a narcotics patrol K-9 and two new explosive detection K-9s, which brings the total K-9 unit to five teams of handlers and K-9s;  the continuation of the Active Shooter and Crime Prevention trainings being offered to state employees; and spearheading a full upgrade of the Capitol Complex Security System.

The Pennsylvania Capitol Police is an accredited law enforcement agency with full arrest powers that investigates all reported crimes within its jurisdiction of state-owned properties and buildings in Harrisburg, Philadelphia and Scranton. The force maintains a 24 hours a day/7 days a week presence in Harrisburg where they also provide assistance to the city of Harrisburg Police Department and other surrounding local law enforcement agencies.

MEDIA CONTACT: Troy Thompson, 717-787-3197

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of General Services

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http://www.state.pa.us