Hampshire Police awarded Illinois Tier‑One accreditation; chief highlights accountability gains

The Hampshire Police Department was recognized at the May 11 Village Board meeting for achieving Illinois Law Enforcement accreditation (Tier One), a multi‑stage process village officials said strengthens accountability, policy compliance and evidence management.

Chief Douglas Pan described accreditation as part of an effort to modernize the department’s policies and add accountability measures. Onsite assessor Joel Given, who serves as a state accreditation coordinator, explained the evaluation involves a rigorous file review, random evidence audits and an assessment of leadership and training. He said the department met 69 accreditation standards and that auditors produced a report used by the Illinois Accreditation Council.

The plaque the board displayed reads that the Hampshire Police Department had policies, procedures and routines achieving Tier One Illinois accreditation, credited February 13, 2026, and listed Chief Douglas Pan and Lieutenant James (as accreditation manager on the plaque) as signatories for the department.

Chief Pan and accreditation staff credited department members for strengthening property and evidence controls, relogging and barcoding evidence and maintaining a chain of custody — improvements assessors said often separate compliant agencies from those that later face liability. ‘‘This keeps us accountable and transparent to the community,’’ Chief Pan said during the meeting.

The board and attendees took photographs with accreditation staff and the department thanked assessors, accreditation managers and officers who contributed to the effort. Trustees praised the department for the achievement and noted it as a step toward public trust and better emergency response coordination.

The village did not take formal action related to accreditation at this meeting beyond the ceremonial recognition.