LITITZ BOROUGH — The LBPD is proud to announce that it has been awarded the highest level of law enforcement accreditation in Pennsylvania, known as Premier Status. The LBPD joins 25 other police departments in the Commonwealth that have achieved this level of Premier Accreditation, collectively representing approximately 2% of all law enforcement agencies in Pennsylvania. There are currently 149 accredited agencies. The LBPD is the only county police agency in Pennsylvania to have achieved Premier status.
Accreditation provides Lititz County residents, elected officials, city employees, and our officials with assurance that the agency is committed to implementing policies, procedures, and systems that are consistent with professional best practices and government regulations. The agency must demonstrate compliance with these policies and procedures to a team of independent external assessors who evaluate the agency every three years. The reviewers assess every level and corner of the agency to ensure we are fully compliant and will make a recommendation to the Accreditation Commission based on the agency’s adherence to established standards.
There are currently 125 standards, 245 bullet points (or sub-standards), or 370 best practices for which accredited agencies must apply policies and procedures and then provide evidence of compliance. The Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation Program is voluntary and administered by the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association. According to PLEAC, “The Premier Agency Status Program establishes guidelines that outline a recognition program to identify the top tier of Pennsylvania agencies that remain committed to state accreditation. Premier Agency status recognizes those agencies that have achieved a certain longevity in accreditation, remained committed to a philosophy of excellence, and helps them maintain that level of commitment.” The LBPD was first accredited on February 2, 2008.
On Tuesday, January 31, 2023, at the Lititz Borough Council meeting, Chief Jim Adams (ret.), Coordinator of the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association Accreditation Program, presented Mayor Timothy Snyder, Council President Shane, with renewed accreditation and recognition of the Premier Status Weaver and LBPD Accreditation Manager Sgt. Jared Hahn.
Further information on accreditation can be found here.
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