Fuquay Varina Police Department recognized for NCLM risk-review and accreditation achievements

Fuquay Varina Police Chief Smith told the town board on June 1 that the department had completed a North Carolina League of Municipalities (NCLM) law enforcement risk review and earned recognition for meeting the program's standards.

Chief Smith said the department first underwent the process in 2023 and again in 2026, calling the achievement "significant" and noting the agency is "one of only two police departments in the entire state of North Carolina to hold what we like to call the triple crown," a reference the chief used to describe combined state and national accreditations. He credited department staff and accreditation specialist Marilyn Wagner for preparing required documentation and demonstrated compliance.

Joe Graziano of the North Carolina League of Municipalities walked the board through the risk-review process, explaining it includes a comprehensive policy and practices review, on-site verification such as ride-alongs and evidence-room inspections, and interviews with officers. Graziano said NCLM represents roughly 230 member agencies and that about 60 have completed the risk-review process; he added that completing the review can reduce liability and may lead to insurance premium credits for municipal agencies.

Graziano presented a plaque to Chief Smith in recognition of the department's successful completion of the program. "The league recognizes the Fuquay Varina Police Department for completing the law enforcement risk-management review and proactively serving the community in a professional manner while taking steps to minimize risks to your citizens and officers," he said.

Officials characterized the review as part of a continuous accreditation cycle; Chief Smith emphasized that achieving standards requires proving compliance, not just documenting policies. The presentation served as the evening's opening recognition before the public-comment period.