Middleboro Police earns re-accreditation

MIDDLEBORO — The Middleboro Police Department recently earned re-accreditation from the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission, Police Chief Robert Ferreira has reported.

 The Middleboro Police Department's newly obtained reaccreditation award will last until its expiration date in February 2028. The department will have its next reaccreditation assessment in 2027, and its next reaccreditation award would be presented to the department in 2028.

Accreditation is a self-initiated, lengthy and comprehensive evaluation process. Participating departments complete an internal self-review and an external assessment by police accreditation experts. 

The process is a voluntary evaluation. By participating, police departments strive to meet and maintain the top standards of law enforcement. This is considered the best measure for a police department to compare itself against the established best practices around the country and region.

 The Massachusetts Police Accreditation Program consists of 274 mandatory standards as well as 66 optional standards. To achieve accreditation status, the department was required to meet all applicable mandatory standards as well as 55% of the optional standards.

 These standards reflect areas of police management, operations and technical support activities. They cover areas such as policy development, emergency response planning, training, communications, property and evidence handling, use of force, vehicular pursuit, detainee transportation and holding facilities.

Ferreira recognized Deputy Chief David Beals, the accreditation manager for the Middleboro Police Department, for managing the re-accreditation process.

 “I am pleased that our department has once again been re-accredited, meaning we have maintained accreditation since February 2022,” Ferreira said. “Our accreditation manager Deputy Chief David Beals deserves a world of credit, along with everyone at the Middleboro Police Department who made this possible.

“MPAC accreditation is the gold standard for police best practices and accountability," Ferreira added. "We are committed to maintaining accreditation. This is the best way we can judge our department’s policies and procedures against best practices in law enforcement, and ensure we are providing the most professional public safety services possible to our residents.”

The re-accreditation award was presented on Feb. 12 at the Marlborough Country Club.