Cape police department earns re-accreditation
The Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation re-accredited the Cape Coral Police Department in a unanimous vote Thursday.
In August, a team of assessors from the commission reviewed all aspects of the police department’s operations. The evaluation, which occurs every three years, considers the department’s standards related to policies, procedures, management, operations and support services.
The team also accepted comments from the public and agency members.
According to city documents, the assessment team forwarded a favorable review to the commission about its visit and the commission was to make a decision at its October meeting.
Zoraida Bergan, southern program manager for the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation, said the commissioners voted on Thursday.
“The Cape Coral Police Department was reviewed by the commission this morning and were granted re-accreditation,” she said. “There was no issue at the agency as far as why they wouldn’t be accredited.”
The 12-member commission cast a unanimous vote.
“All the comments were favorable toward the agency,” Bergan said.
Interim Police Chief Jay Murphy released a statement Thursday.
“We are pleased that the Cape Coral Police Department has been recognized by our professional peers for maintaining the high standards expected of police agencies in the state of Florida,” he said. “By continuing to seek outside review of our operations, we are maintaining our professional commitment to the citizens to provide high-quality and efficient police services.”
The Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation is made up of sheriffs and police chiefs from across the state, as well as a member of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, a member of the Florida League of Cities, a member of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and an elected official.
“When an agency gets accredited or re-accredited, it means that a group of independent assessors go to the agency and review it to make sure that the agency has its policies in place,” Bergan said.
“We have a set amount of standards that the agencies have to comply with,” she added.
According to Bergan, there is approximately 84 standards.
“They (the Cape Coral Police Department) complied with the standards and that’s why they were granted re-accreditation,” she said.