House Concurrent Resolution 126

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE ACCREDITED LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES OF THIS STATE AND DESIGNATING THE MONTH OF MAY, 2016, AS "MISSISSIPPI LAW ENFORCEMENT ACCREDITATION RECOGNITION MONTH."

WHEREAS, the Law Enforcement Accreditation Program was established to address a need to enhance law enforcement as a profession and to improve law enforcement service delivery to the communities of the State of Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, accreditation elevates the level of professionalism of the men and women who serve within the accredited law enforcement agency; and

WHEREAS, the accreditation process is lengthy and time consuming, but those agencies who seek accreditation persevere towards excellence until they reach their goal; and

WHEREAS, becoming accredited ensures greater accountability within the agency and gives the Chief Executive Officer a proven management system of written directives, sound training, clearly defined lines of authority and routine reports that support decision-making and resource allocation; and

WHEREAS, accreditation leads to reduced risk and liability exposure, stronger defense against civil lawsuits and a reduction in liability insurance costs and reimbursement of accreditation fees; and

WHEREAS, accreditation embodies the precepts of community-oriented policing, and 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; and

WHEREAS, a law enforcement agency is more likely to receive staunch support from government officials after becoming accredited because accreditation provides objective evidence of an agency's commitment to excellence in leadership, resource management and service delivery; and

WHEREAS, the following police departments, sheriffs' offices and other local law enforcement agencies have the distinction of being an accredited agency: Biloxi Police Department, Brandon Police Department, Byram Police Department, Canton Police Department, Cleveland Police Department, DeSoto County Sheriff's Department, Forrest General Hospital Police Department, Gulfport Police Department, Hattiesburg Police Department, Jackson Police Department, Lauderdale County Sheriff's Department, Leake County Sheriff's Department, Madison Police Department, Mississippi State University Police Department, Ocean Springs Police Department, Oktibbeha County Sheriff's Department, Olive Branch Police Department, Oxford Police Department, Pascagoula Police Department, Picayune Police Department, Ridgeland Police Department, Southern Regional Public Safety Institute Academy, Starkville Police Department, Tupelo Police Department, University of Mississippi Police Department, University of Southern Mississippi Police Department and the Vicksburg Police Department; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize the outstanding law enforcement agencies of this state, especially those who strive to better their agency through the accreditation process:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend those law enforcement agencies which have put forth the time and effort necessary to complete the Law Enforcement Accreditation Program by proclaiming the month of May, 2016, as "Mississippi Law Enforcement Accreditation Recognition Month," and extend best wishes for continued success serving their respective communities.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to each law enforcement agency commended in this resolution and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.