Police department works toward state accreditation

Oct. 5 township trustees meeting

by Alex Vukoder

The Bath Township Police Department is taking a significant step toward state accreditation through the Ohio Collaborative Law Enforcement Accreditation Program.

Police Chief Vito Sinopoli and Ed Burkhammer, director of law enforcement services for the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services, signed a formal letter of commitment beginning what is expected to be an 18- to 24-month accreditation process. Jason Michael is the Ohio Collaborative program manager assigned to work directly with the Bath Police Department throughout the process.

The Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services states the mission of the program is to “establish law enforcement best practices by way of comprehensive, obtainable and operationally effective standards, and to provide resources and support to Ohio agencies in an effort to protect the public and law enforcement personnel, limit liability and enhance levels of professional service delivery.”

Burkhammer described the signing as a “commitment ceremony,” emphasizing that Bath Township voluntarily sought participation in the program and is opening its policies and practices to outside review.

“When you open your doors to criticism, it shows great leadership,” Burkhammer said, noting that the goal is not simply to put policies on paper, but to continually improve the department and the service it provides to the community.

The state accreditation program is offered to local law enforcement agencies at no cost. Burkhammer said the only cost to Bath is its staff’s time and work.

“Every resource that I have available to me is available to them,” he said, beginning with Michael, who will work directly with Bath officers as they move through accreditation.

Bath will be among the first 50 law enforcement agencies in Ohio to enter the accreditation program. Of approximately 935 law enforcement agencies statewide, only about three dozen are currently participating. Bath is also one of only a few township police departments to enter the program.

The accreditation process will require the department to meet dozens of professional standards covering policies and agency practices. It will include ongoing work with the state program manager, a mock on-site review, an assessment by experienced outside law enforcement professionals and ultimately consideration by the state accreditation board. Once accredited, Bath will undergo annual reviews and a full reassessment every four years.

Sinopoli said the effort is part of the department’s ongoing emphasis on professionalism, respect, education and training. Township officials expressed strong support for the initiative, with one trustee describing the Bath Police Department as already being the “gold standard” and saying accreditation would take it to the “next level of platinum standard.”

In other news

The fire department welcomed two new employees. Bruce George was hired as a part-time firefighter/paramedic and Mike Lucas was hired as a part-time fire inspector.

Trustees approved purchase orders totaling $265,689, including expenditures for township resurfacing, catch basin repairs, railing repairs and door replacement at the township administration building.

The township also accepted a $1,000 donation from the H.E. Graves Family Foundation to help purchase a Kenwood Viking VP8000 portable radio for the police department. Sinopoli noted that the department is gradually transitioning to the Kenwood radios as a more cost-effective option.