NEWS | Biddeford Police Department earns national recognition

Biddeford is one of just four Maine communities that received national recognition and accreditation for upholding the highest standards of community law enforcement

By RANDY SEAVER | Editor

Just two weeks after facing increased public scrutiny and criticism related to the July 13 shooting of Johan Guerrero by federal officers in Biddeford, the Biddeford Police Department learned this week that it has again earned “gold-standard” accreditation from an international organization that recognizes outstanding law enforcement agencies.

Of Maine’s 163 cities and towns, Biddeford is one of just four communities that has earned accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA).

CALEA was created in 1979 to promote rigorous community standards in daily law enforcement activities. According to the group’s website, the CALEA accreditation program seals are reserved for use by public safety agencies that have demonstrated compliance with CALEA’s rigorous standards and policies.

**DEPUTY POLICE CHIEF STEVE GORTON** (center) accepts this year’s accreditation certificate | *Photo Courtesy of Biddeford Police Department*

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The cities of Lewiston, Auburn and South Portland – and the Cumberland County Sherrif’s office — also earned CALEA accreditation this year.

City Council President Roger Beaupre – the city’s former police chief – highlighted the fact that the Biddeford Police Department had again earned the distinction during Tuesday’s city council meeting.

Beaupre’s statement and praise of Biddeford police officers earned a rigorous round of applause from members of the public.

Police Chief JoAnne Fisk said the accreditation is given every four years, and that Biddeford is beginning its ninth year of being recognized and accredited by CALEA.

“it certainly is an honor to be recognized for upholding the very highest standards of policing, but it is anything but easy to earn that recognition,” Fisk said.

According to Fisk, the accreditation process involves three to four days of interviews with members of the public, city officials and a comprehensive audit process that examines every aspect of how the department functions, from dispatch, community policing and handling public grievances to how the jail is operated.

This year’s accreditation was recommended by a former Illinois State Police officer.

“What this third-party accreditation shows is that we actually practice what we preach,” Fisk said, pointing to her department’s already high standards.

Fewer than five percent of law enforcement agencies nationwide are able to earn CALEA accreditation, Fisk said.

Fisk said the CALEA accreditation offers the city much more than bragging rights. The accreditation can play a pivotal factor in civil lawsuits filed against a local police department.

Building Community Partnerships

According to CALEA’s website, accreditation “embodies the precepts of community-oriented policing. It creates a forum in which law enforcement agencies and citizens work together to prevent and control challenges confronting law enforcement and provides clear direction about community expectations.”

Part of that process – to strengthen community partnerships and trust –includes am annual event known as “National Night Out,” a community event in which residents and officers can learn more about each other.

This year’s Night Out event is being co-sponsored by the Biddeford Recreation Department and will be held on Tuesday, August 4, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Mechanics Park near the intersection of Main and Water streets.

This year’s Night Out event
in Biddeford will be held
August 4 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
in Mechanics Park

This year’s activities in Biddeford include a free barbecue, family games and activities – and opportunities to meet local police and fire department staff in a friendly and relaxed setting.

More than 38 million people across the country are expected to participate in National Night Out events over the next few days. The city of Saco celebrated its Night Out event on Tuesday.

“Biddeford has participated in National Night Out since 2011, and every year, I look forward to seeing the community out having fun and building connections,” said Deputy Police Chief Steve Gorton, who led the organization of this year’s event. “We hope lots of people will join us for a chance to meet your local first responders, enjoy some good food and spend time with neighbors.”

To safely accommodate the National Night Out event, Water Street will be closed between Sullivan Street and Main Street from 4 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, August 4, and parking in the diagonal parking spaces along the street will be prohibited during this time.

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