Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Hickory Police Department earns state accreditation; city leaders praise staff work
Summary
The Hickory Police Department received state law‑enforcement accreditation from the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission. The accreditation committee chair and city leaders praised the department’s documentation, training and continuous‑improvement efforts.
The Hickory Police Department received accreditation through standards set by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission, a state accreditation committee representative announced Sept. 16.
Bill Hollings, chairman of the state accreditation committee, presented a certificate to the department and praised months of policy review, training and documentation. "This accomplishment stands as a testament to the dedication, the professionalism, and the sincere commitment of the Hickory Police Department in upholding excellence in law enforcement," Hollings said.
City officials and department leaders credited staff and the accreditation manager, Jennifer Harris, with leading the effort. Jennifer Harris, identified in the meeting as the department’s accreditation manager and an accreditation mentor across the state, was singled out by Hollings for mentoring other agencies.
An unnamed Hickory police chief told the council the department completed the accreditation faster than other agencies that have attained the credential, calling it "a tribute to our staff" and the department’s culture of continuous improvement. Captain Young, who participated in the interview process, also thanked staff and described the review as "a wonderful thing to go through." The chief and command staff joined members of the council for a photo and public recognition.
Hollings noted accreditation is an ongoing standard that requires maintenance and continuous review; he said achieving the credential strengthens community confidence, reduces risk and supports officer development and retention.
The council formally recognized the department during the meeting; no formal council action beyond the presentation was required.
