KPD plans to retain special ‘Recognized’ status

Source: City of

Kennedale

 

Sometimes things are taken for granted and an award becomes just another award. But, for those who have earned them, those awards are important. They signify a genuine effort to improve. For a small town, Kennedale has garnered some special honors that many cities the size of Kennedale and larger would love to have. {{more}}

 

One of these honors is the “recognized” status of the Kennedale Police Department. In the state of Texas there are well over a thousand law enforcement agencies. There are only 65 such agencies recognized in the state.

 

The Texas

Police Chiefs Law Enforcement Recognition Program is a voluntary process where police agencies in Texas prove their compliance with 164 Texas law enforcement best practices. These best practices were developed by Texas law enforcement professionals to assist agencies in the efficient and effective delivery of service, the reduction of risk and the protection of individual?s rights.

 

Since its inception in 2006, over 65 Texas Law Enforcement Agencies have been recognized and many more are currently in the process to become Recognized Agencies. Kennedale earned the honors in 2012. Next year Kennedale will begin the review process for applying for the designation again.

A committee of chiefs of police and command level officers from across Texas assisted in the development of standards that were believed to be necessary for proper functioning of Texas law enforcement agencies. They reviewed Texas law and other state accreditation program standards to determine which were most appropriate.

The ?Recognized? status is awarded for a four year period. During the four year period the agency must submit an annual report and show continuing compliance with several performance related standards. These are reviewed as they are received and compliance verified. During the last year of the period the agency must prepare updated documentation on all Best Practices and another on site review is conducted. The Recognition Committee must then vote again to approve ?Recognized? status for the next four years.

• Chief of Police Tommy Williams;
• Captain Darrell Hull;
• Detective Sergeant Eric Carlson;
• Detectives Jason Charbonnet and Stephen Dagnell;
• Patrol Sergeants Bryan Goode and Chris Kjensen;
• Patrol Officers Randy Hatcher, Andres Lara, Delvin Starling, Charles Burns, Tara Culpepper, Jamie Drzdewiecki, Ryan Heath and James Petersen;
• School Resource Officers James Clark and Nathan Dancer;
• Recruit Rena Leggett;
• Animal Control Officer Dianna Garcia;
• Receptionist Lori Stephenson and Records Clerk Pam White.