The Swampscott Police Department has been honored by the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission (MPAC) as one of only 122 fully accredited police agencies in the state. This prestigious recognition, awarded on October 29, 2023, at a ceremony held at the Marlborough Country Club, underscores the department’s commitment to implementing best practices in law enforcement.
Accreditation from MPAC is a rigorous, self-initiated process that requires police agencies to voluntarily meet established professional standards. The process begins with an internal assessment to ensure compliance with MPAC’s criteria, followed by a thorough review conducted by assessors appointed by the commission. According to MPAC, this program aims to create a framework for “best practices” that law enforcement agencies can adopt, necessitating the formulation of clear written directives and procedures for personnel.
Achieving this accreditation signifies several critical commitments from the Swampscott Police Department. It demonstrates the department’s dedication to professional standards and an openness to regular assessments by MPAC assessors to verify compliance. Furthermore, it shows a willingness to address any deficiencies identified during the evaluation process to maintain or restore compliance with established standards.
Police Chief Ruben Quesada emphasized the collective effort involved in attaining this accreditation, crediting key members of the department’s accreditation team: Sgt. Matt MacDonald, Sgt. Steven Luck, Sgt. Brendan Reen, and Capt. Joe Kable. He noted, “Accreditation alone could take one full-time employee working 40 hours at least six months to complete. This work was done through a true team effort, with special thanks to our accreditation manager, Sgt. MacDonald, who got us started on the right footing.”
For Chief Quesada, the significance of this recognition extends beyond mere accolades. “This award is much more than just empty words stating that our policies and procedures match best practices and national standards,” he remarked. “We had to show and prove to an independent, outside organization that our actions meet our words.”
Out of the 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts, only 122 have achieved this “gold standard” of accreditation. Chief Quesada expressed pride in this accomplishment, stating, “We owe this standard of professionalism to our beloved community to be the kind of world-class policing organization they rightfully deserve.”
The accreditation serves as a testament to the Swampscott Police Department’s ongoing dedication to transparency, accountability, and excellence in policing, ultimately fostering trust and safety within the community it serves.
