Johnston Police one step closer to accreditation

By Tim Forsberg
Posted 3/23/17

Members of the community offered enthusiastic support for the Johnston Police Department’s application for national accreditation at Monday’s public hearing held at the Johnston Municipal Court. …

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Johnston Police one step closer to accreditation

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Members of the community offered enthusiastic support for the Johnston Police Department’s application for national accreditation at Monday’s public hearing held at the Johnston Municipal Court.  

“I’ve lived in Johnston my whole life, with the leadership of Chief [Richard] Tamburini and all the officers that he has I’m proud to say that I live in Johnston and that’s my police department,” said Janice Mele, chairwoman of the Johnston School Committee, “Whenever we need them in our schools they come, from fire drills, lockdowns, evacuations, there always there to help us with anything we need.” 

The police department earned state accreditation in 2015 and is now seeking accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA). CALEA is a credentialing authority composed of associations such as the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, the National Sheriffs’ Association, and the Police Executive Research Forum. Accreditation from the commission is highly sought after by police departments across the country.

 The JPD is currently at phase three of five in the accreditation process, having completed the enrollment and self-assessment to bring itself into compliance with applicable standards. Phase three involves an on-site assessment by CALEA assessors conducted for several days.

When the department began the process, it received the commission’s manual containing 488 standards focusing on all facets of law enforcement management, operations and support functions. The department must comply with 188 standards to achieve accreditation.

Sean Kelly, the Chief of Police of the Ware, New Hampshire Police Department, and Lt. Len Hatcher (retired) of the Garner, North Carolina Police Department, helped conduct the assessment and Monday’s public forum. Their responsibility as assessors to the commission is to visit the agency and verify that it is in compliance.

Johnston Police Chief Richard Tamburini appointed Lt. Matthew Benson as the accreditation manager to oversee the accreditation process. According to Chief Kelly, the public hearing was intended to provide interested citizens an opportunity to address the assessment team concerning the department.

A half dozen speakers gave testimony to the assessors, offering multiple insights into the department’s impact on the community.

Councilman Robert Russo highlighted Johnston’s central location in the state bordered by “one of the tougher areas of the city of Providence” along with larger cities like Cranston and the challenges that provides.

“I’ve never seen the town run as efficiently and have the respect that it’s gained over the years under the helm of Chief Tamburini and his crew. I think the Johnston Police Department is exemplary in the state of Rhode Island,” he said. “We can’t always give them the money that they ask for in the budget, but whatever we give them they do a great job with that.”

Doug Jeffrey, chief of staff for the Mayor Joseph Polisena, focused on economic development and confidence provided by the police department’s services. He said that during the last 10 years Johnston’s had nearly $1 billion in construction and developments, from the Citizens Bank campus, FM Global and industrial parks that wouldn’t be here unless they were confident that the JPD would keep business and employees safe.

“The police department is really a vital cog in the engine of economic growth, particularly in these times that we’re in now, where the northeast really has suffered more so than any other part of the country economically,” said Jeffrey. “So it’s been difficult to attract big employers and we’ve done a pretty good job at that, and one of the major reasons is because of the effect of this police department under the leadership of Chief Tamburini.”

Ed Carosi, founder of Uncle Tony’s restaurants, agreed, telling the assessors that he appreciated the feeling of safety provided by the town’s officers.

“When I walked through the front door, I realized I was in a different environment. There was a sense of organization the minute I walked in; it was palpable, you could feel it. People were busy, they were efficient, the civilian population that worked there were cordial, they couldn’t do enough to help you,” said Carosi of police headquarters. “The patrolmen and the command staff, they were absolutely impeccable, it stuck in my mind, and you could feel that there was a very strong chain of command there.”

Support also came from local law enforcement officials.

“It’s a pretty good feat to just have state accreditation a year ago and then go for CALEA accreditation and pull it off, so they’re doing well,” said Lieutenant Bruce Holt, chairman of the Rhode Island Police Accreditation Coalition. “I fully support them, and I hope you find it favorable for them.”

Paul Martellini of the Rhode Island Division of Sheriffs and a resident of the town said he had a “different and unique perspective” in looking at the agency.

“The police services that they provide and have provided to my family have been professional, fair, totally excellent as a police department, one we try to model after in the agency that I work for,” he said. “I can’t speak enough good kudos about this agency and the men and women of this agency.”

Speaker Christine Croker said she saw no reason why the department’s accreditation shouldn’t be realized.

 “Chief Tamburini sees this as a way to help keep the agency moving forward, especially in these tumultuous times where not only have we been hit with financial restraints but the climate and some of the issues going on with law enforcement,” she said. “He’s well respected within the law enforcement community throughout the state. They’re a good agency that does really good things for the community, and I would hope that you would report back to the commission favorably that they do deserve to be counted among the best of the best.”

The assessors will go on to report their findings to the commission for final determination of accreditation. At a CALEA conference, the commission then awards accreditation. The next conference is scheduled from July 26 -29 in Providence.

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