Philadelphia Police Department Earns Accreditation
By Ian Bush
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- It took six years, but Philadelphia Police now can call themselves 'accredited.' It's a designation that holds departments to peer-reviewed performance standards.
Accreditation is a badge of honor but also a call to action.
"We don't for a minute think that we don't have more work to do -- we do," said Commissioner Charles Ramsey.
The department will be up for re-evaluation every three years, and Commissioner Charles Ramsey says this new identity affects the daily work of policing.
"Some of it had to do with our facilities -- processing people under department control, for an example. How we handle evidence that's taken into our custody," said Commissioner Ramsey.
It's awarded by the Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission, which develops best practices. With 6,500 officers, Philadelphia is the largest of the 100-some member agencies. Mayor Michael Nutter calls it a 'crowning achievement' in Ramsey's push to make the department more transparent.
"Philadelphia police continue to make progress in serving and protecting our citizens," said Mayor Nutter.