Hanover Park Police Department Earns Accreditation Honors

Press release from the Village of Hanover Park regarding the Police Department’s receipt of the highly sought after Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) certification:

The Hanover Park Police Department is pleased to announce that on November 13, 2020 it received accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). CALEA is the premier credentialing authority providing accreditation to police agencies. CALEA has developed thousands of professional standards that cover all areas of law enforcement operations, including use of force, employee conduct, internal investigations, social services, and more.

To be accredited, a law enforcement agency must meet these high professional standards and demonstrate compliance in their policies, procedures, and practices on an annual basis.  The agency then undergoes a rigorous site-based assessment every four years.  During this on-site examination, the assessors conduct interviews, meet with the public, and observe first-hand how well the agency complies with the CALEA standards.

Accreditation by CALEA is a challenging endeavor.  In the United States, only 485 of the more than 12,500 police departments are accredited.  In Illinois, only 38 of the more than 800 municipal police departments have received accreditation.  The Hanover Park Police Department has now been continuously accredited since 2001.

“I am very proud of the quality of service our police officers and civilian staff provide the community.  This accreditation illustrates the hard work and professionalism of all of the men and women who make up the Hanover Park Police Department,“ said Police Chief Michael Menough. 

Mayor Rodney Craig said, “The citizens of Hanover Park are very fortunate to have a department that has demonstrated its commitment to excellence. To be internationally recognized for achieving the highest standards in public safety is truly a great honor.” 

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