BMPD recognized by state with ‘Excellence in Policing’ award
Local agency among first to complete rigorous N.C. Law Enforcement Accreditation Program
Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
September 4, 2024
Black Mountain Police Chief Steve Parker, right, meets with Major Chris Kuhn and Accreditation and Evidence Manager Stacy Cox. Photo by Fred McCormick
A three-year process in which state auditors reviewed the Black Mountain Police Department’s compliance with 115 policing standards culminated, Aug. 23, when the agency was recognized with the 1st Edition State Accreditation Award for Excellence in Policing.
The department is among the first in the state to complete the N.C. Law Enforcement Accreditation Program, which was established in 2023 by the N.C. Sheriffs’ Education and Training Standards Commission and the Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission to evaluate the procedures and practices of local police and sheriff agencies.
Earning a state accreditation has been a priority for Black Mountain Police Chief Steve Parker since he arrived at the department in the fall of 2021. The designation underscores the importance of professionalism in law enforcement, according to Parker.
“This is an example of checks and balances because it brings independent people from the state to make sure you are doing everything you should be doing, in accordance with the highest standards of law enforcement,” he said. “I came from two accredited agencies in S.C., so establishing that standard here has been important to me since the beginning.”
Black Mountain is the fifth department in the state to complete then voluntary process, following four agencies that participated in the NCLEA pilot program. Organizations seeking accreditation are required to undertake a meticulous 24-month internal review of existing polices and procedures, equipment, facilities and operations.
The intensive analysis, which was followed by an on-site inspection and observation conducted by NCLEA assessors, required a department-wide commitment, according to Parker.
“One person can’t do this,” he said. “This involved weekly meetings of our command staff and other key personnel, over nearly a three-year period of time. During these meetings we reviewed every policy to ensure we were following state and national standards, and any policy that we rewrote required us to prove we met those standards.”
The project was led by BMPD Accreditation and Evidence Manager Stacy Cox, who was hired to fill the position created in 2022.
“She was in charge of making sure this happened and she did an amazing job,” Parker said. “We had eight people on this accreditation team, and Stacy led our weekly meetings and regularly followed up to ensure everyone was completing what they were assigned.”
Cox was instrumental in guiding the department on its path to accreditation, the chief continued.
“The state requires each department to use a software program to hold these policies and Stacy put the entire format together,” he said. “She also served as the liaison between our department and the state’s accreditation manager.”
The NCLEA standards manual requires agencies to review polices related to administration, training, use of force, property and evidence management and seven other categories. Each of the 11 chapters contain subcategories elucidating a range of specified standards.
“The department had built a solid foundation, and we had many things already in place,” Parker said. “But, some of the policies we had in place were five or six years old, and best practices in law enforcement constantly evolve. So, regular review, which is something required to maintain this accreditation, allows our agency to to make sure we’re functioning with the highest level of professionalism.”
Black Mountain Police Chief Steve Parker, center, Accreditation and Evidence Manager Stacy Cox and Major Chris Kuhn display a N.C. Law Enforcement Accreditation, which was awarded to the department, Aug. 23. The recognition follows a three-year process in which BMPD reviewed and revised policies to ensure they met or exceeded state standards. Photo by Fred McCormick
BMPD, which employs less than 30 staff, is one of two agencies in the state to have earned accreditation through the NCLEA while completing the League of Municipalities Risk Assessment process.
“It’s very difficult for small agencies to complete the accreditation process, but our goal here is to be the gold standard,” Parker said. “The (NCLEA) is an important part of that, but our first step was making sure we were in compliance with the League of Municipalities’ 39 standards, which closely mirror many of those in the accreditation requirements.”
Completing both programs reduces the cost of insuring the BMPD by 20%, according to Parker.
“Accreditation doesn’t mean we’ll do everything right all of the time, because we make mistakes like every human being,” he said. “But, it does show our commitment to following the best practices within law enforcement by delivering the best service possible. I believe that goes a long way toward building trust with the community we serve.”
Black Mountain Town Manager Josh Harrold commended Parker and the department for their diligence in the accreditation process, while crediting the town council’s guidance and leadership.
“We’ve been able to put the right people in the right place to make this happen,” Harrold said. “Our police department works tirelessly to keep the community safe and this accreditation is testament of this work. I am proud to be part of this team in Black Mountain.”