LaGrange Police Department presented CALEA accreditation for 7th time

Pictured from left to right: CALEA Board Member Chief Bart Connelly, Accreditation Manager Sgt. Karen Sanders, LaGrange Police Chief Lou Dekmar, and Mayor Jim Thornton during the presentation of CALEA accreditation. CONTRIBUTED

Pictured from left to right: CALEA Board Member Chief Bart Connelly, Accreditation Manager Sgt. Karen Sanders, LaGrange Police Chief Lou Dekmar, and Mayor Jim Thornton during the presentation of CALEA accreditation. CONTRIBUTED

The LaGrange Police Department received its official CALEA accreditation at a recent LaGrange City Council meeting.

Bart Connelly, A CALEA Board Member and retired Cape Coral Police Chief, presented the award to LaGrange Police Chief Lou Dekmar, Accreditation Manager Sgt. Karen Sanders, and Mayor Jim Thornton.

This is the 7th time the LaGrange Police Department has received the accreditation. The department also achieved the accreditation with excellence award.

The LaGrange Police Department first received accreditation in July 1999. Since then, every three years the department consistently received the honor in 2002, 2005, 2008, 2011, 2014, and now in 2017.

To receive the CALEA Accreditation, the agency must demonstrate a commitment to professional excellence in policy and practice. The accreditation is accomplished through a highly regarded and broadly recognized body of professional standards.

The honor is for four years and the agency is required to maintain continuous compliance during the time period.

Information: www.lagrangega.org