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Hilltown police presented with accreditation certificate; assessors praise policies and risk management
Summary
An accreditation official read assessors’ findings commending Hilltown Police Department’s policies and practices and presented a certificate; official highlighted lower lawsuit rates and insurer discounts for accredited departments.
An accreditation official told the Hilltown Township Board of Supervisors that the Hilltown Police Department is one of roughly 29 accredited municipal police departments in Pennsylvania, a designation the assessor said requires annual attestations and triennial on-site reassessments. The official read from the assessors’ report: “The Hilltown Police Department is a professionally managed law enforcement agency committed to modern and progressive ideals, policies, and technologies.”
The assessor explained that accreditation requires annual submission of lengthy compliance reports and a three‑year reassessment cycle with extensive documentation of best practices. He said accredited departments tend to be sued less often and pay lower settlement amounts, and that insurance companies sometimes offer discounts to accredited municipalities. The board recognized Chief Engelhart and staff for achieving the accreditation and invited them forward for a certificate presentation.
Chief Engelhart (recognized by the board) and others credited Lieutenant Brown and department staff for the work leading to the award. The assessor noted the accreditation is not permanent: the department must provide two proofs of compliance per standard each year and will be reassessed by a new set of assessors in three years.
The presentation concluded with the assessor directing residents with questions about accreditation to the program’s public web page and by offering a township contact for follow-up. Board members thanked the department and the assessor for the report; there was no formal vote on the presentation.
