Woonsocket Police Department receives RIPAC accreditation

Woonsocket, R.I.: The Woonsocket Police Department (WPD) was formally
recognized for earning its accreditation from the Rhode Island Police Accreditation
Commission (RIPAC) at a 3:00 pm ceremony at WPD headquarters. The accreditation
reflects the department’s adherence to best practices among professional law
enforcement agencies within the state.

«I am proud of the work that the men and women of the Woonsocket Police Department
have put into meeting the rigorous standards set by RIPAC,» said Chief Thomas F.
Oates III. «Earning this accreditation further professionalizes the department and
demonstrates the skill and commitment by law enforcement personnel in our
community.»

Attaining the RIPAC accreditation makes the WPD the 21st law enforcement agency out
of 47 eligible organizations in the state to have received the professional policing
standards distinction. RIPAC accreditation standards were formally established in
May 2013, and serve as the benchmark for law enforcement agencies to measure
performance against. Benefits of accreditation include: enhanced departmental
reputation; confidence booster to personnel and community; reduction in civil
liability risk; provides evaluation standards for quality assurance; increases
accountability; and sets performance based standards.

«Congratulations to the men and women of our police department on this significant
accomplishment,» said Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt. «This distinction demonstrates the
quality of service and high standards set by the Woonsocket Police Department. Under
the leadership of Chief Oates, the performance of our law enforcement personnel has
been elevated to new heights.»

Achieving the RIPAC accreditation was the culmination of a process that began in
2009, when efforts led by Lt. Norm Galipeau to develop a policy manual first began.
Since then and during the RIPAC accreditation process, the WPD assessed and updated
its policies, procedures, and practices to bring them in line with professional
policing benchmarks. The accreditation is good for three years, after which the
department will undergo a review by RIPAC and must demonstrate adherence to the
accreditation standards.