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Decatur Police Department wins unanimous Texas Police Chiefs accreditation renewal
Summary
The Texas Police Chiefs Association renewed Decatur Police Department's accreditation after a multi-day on-site assessment; TPCA representatives said the department met 73 standards and remains one of 217 accredited agencies in Texas.
The Decatur Police Department received a certificate of reaccreditation from the Texas Police Chiefs Association on March 24, 2025, following a two-day on-site assessment and a unanimous vote by the TPCA accreditation committee.
Monty Stanley, compliance coordinator for the Texas Police Chiefs Association best-practices program, told the City Council that trained assessors reviewed the department's policies, facilities and field operations in December 2024 and that the accreditation committee voted unanimously to renew Decatur's status. "Of the 2,800 law enforcement agencies in the state of Texas, only 217 of them have attained this accreditation," Stanley said, adding that the program tests compliance against 73 standards based on Texas law, case decisions and contemporary best practices.
The reaccreditation process requires agencies to submit annual reports and undergo on-site inspections every four years, Stanley said. He called the process "professional excellence" and emphasized that maintaining accreditation is an ongoing obligation, not a one-time award.
City officials in the meeting recognized the work of command staff and line personnel in meeting the standards. Stanley singled out Captain Gastineau as the program manager who oversees the accreditation work within the department and invited Chief Campbell to join city leadership for the recognition.
The presentation did not include a council vote or ordinance; it was a formal recognition based on the TPCA committee's inspection and decision. Speakers at the presentation said the department first attained accredited status in February 2008 and that reaccreditation reflects continued policy and operational compliance.
Council members and staff congratulated the department and noted the accreditation as a point of pride for the community. The TPCA certificate will remain contingent on the department's continuing to submit required annual reports and to pass the next on-site review in four years.
