MARQUETTE — A team of assessors from the Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission will arrive on Tuesday, Nov. 2 to examine all aspects of the Marquette City Police Department policies and procedures, management, operations and support services, MPD Police Chief Blake Rieboldt announced Tuesday.

“Verification by the team that the Marquette City Police Department meets the Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission’s “best practice” standards is part of a voluntary process to achieve accreditation, a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence,” Rieboldt said.

As part of this on-site assessment, employees and members of the general public are invited to provide comments to the assessment team. They may do so by telephone or email.

The public may call 906-225-8892 on Wednesday, Nov. 3 between the hours of 9 and 11 a.m. Email comments can be sent to rgrim@marquettemi.gov.

Telephone comments are limited to five minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with the commission’s standards. A copy of the standards is available for inspection at the Marquette City Police Department at 300 W. Baraga Ave., Marquette, MI 49855. Please contact Lt. Ryan Grim at 906-228-0400.

Anyone wishing to offer written comments about the Marquette City Police Department’s ability to comply with the standards for accreditation is requested to email the accreditation program manager at nrossow@michiganpolicechiefs.org or write the Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission at 3474 Alaiedon Parkway, Suite 600, Okemos, MI 48864.

The Marquette City Police Department must comply with 105 standards in order to maintain accredited status.

“Accreditation results in greater accountability within the agency, reduced risk and liability exposure, stronger defense against civil lawsuits, increased community advocacy and more confidence in the agency’s ability to operate efficiently and respond to community needs,” Rieboldt said.

The accreditation program manager for the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police is Ret. Chief Neal Rossow.

“The assessment team is composed of law enforcement practitioners from similar Michigan law enforcement agencies,” Rossow said. “The assessors will review written materials, interview agency members and visit offices and other places where compliance with the standards can be observed. Once the assessors complete their review of the agency, they will report to the full commission, which will then decide if the agency is to be granted accredited status.”

Accreditation is valid for a three-year period during which time the agency must submit annual reports attesting to its continued compliance with those standards under which it was initially accredited.

The Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police, through its Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission, is the legitimate authority and accreditation agency in the state of Michigan. For more information regarding the Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission, please write the commission at Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police, Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission at 3474 Alaiedon Parkway, Suite 600, Okemos, MI 48864 or email at nrossow@michiganpolicechiefs.org.