Accreditation is renewed for Pendleton Police Department

PENDLETON – The Pendleton Police Department was one of the first in Oregon to be accredited in 2009. Since then, many other departments have passed that hurdle. Police Chief Chuck Byram said it was time to repeat the process.

“This year was a reaccreditation year,” he said. “We passed again with flying colors, meaning that we are subscribing to best practices law enforcement policing standards. Not only are we subscribing to them, we’re able to prove to an independent accrediting body that we’re actually doing what we say we’re doing.”

Byram delivered the news to the Pendleton City Council this week. City Manager Robb Corbett said he was impressed, but not surprised.

“That accreditation process is evidence that our department is committed to implementing best practices,” he said. “I think it’s a testimony to the culture of the department and I think it also is why I think we all likely feel that we live in a safe community.”

Mayor McKennon McDonald is impressed with the dedication of the officers.

“I think the thing that stood out for me is that the city of Pendleton Police Department took 28,685 calls for service over the last year and we are actually the community that has the most calls for service in Umatilla and Morrow counties,” she said. “That speaks to the work load that our staff is undertaking and what they’re experiencing.”

The Northwest Accreditation Alliance is Oregon’s independent credentialing body certifying compliance with the U.S. Department of Justice standards for safe policing principles. It also provides accreditation to agencies in Alaska. Oregon’s independent credentialing body for the purpose of certifying compliance with the U.S. Department of Justice standards of certification on safe policing principles.

Slide of part of Byram’s presentation to the city council via PPD

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