Grandville police honored for state accreditation after multi‑year effort

The Grandville Police Department received formal recognition from the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police during the council meeting, officials said, after voluntarily meeting a detailed set of professional standards.

Representatives from the association told the council the accreditation program is built on 128 standards — with more than 600 subcategories — that agencies must document and demonstrate in on‑site assessments and public review. "Accreditation is a significant professional accomplishment," said Ron Wilds, executive director of the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police, noting the department is one of 94 agencies statewide to achieve the recognition.

The department’s chief credited staff and two internal accreditation managers with completing the work. The chief said the process took longer than planned because of staffing shortages but called the outcome a department‑wide accomplishment, singling out Corporal Roger Balma and Officer Matt Muen for their roles in implementing a policy management system and pushing the review across the finish line.

Officials from the accreditation board described the two‑day on‑site assessment that included policy review, interviews with staff and the public, ride‑alongs and a public call‑in opportunity. "These are earned," the accreditation representative said, explaining assessors come from other accredited departments with no ties to Grandville.

Council members and staff applauded the department’s initiative and the volunteer work of officers who completed the documentation and interviews. There was no formal council vote tied to the presentation; the certificate was presented as an earned recognition.

The council meeting included a separate agenda item noting Chief Mike May’s upcoming retirement, and several members used the opportunity to thank both the police and fire professionals for their service.