Huntley police achieve rare distinction in high-risk situations

The next time you try to outrun Huntley police officers, take note: they've trained for this.

Because of an accreditation process that has lasted more than three years, Huntley officers have trained in what to do in that situation, as well as other rare but high-risk situations.

That training, and the new policies that spell out how officers should respond to certain incidents, has culminated in Huntley becoming only the second police department in McHenry County to be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies.

The achievement means Huntley police have aligned their practices and policies to meet law enforcement best practices.

"It's really an honor to be a part of that, considering we're included among the best police departments," Huntley Police Chief John Perkins said.

Other area departments that have earned accreditation include Elgin, St. Charles, Arlington Heights and Bartlett. The city of McHenry's police force is the only other accredited agency in McHenry County.

Perkins decided to pursue accreditation to help his department make the transition from policing a small town to managing crime in a growing suburb.

When the department began the process in 2006, the village hired Gary Wigman, a veteran of McHenry's accreditation effort, to oversee the process.

Under Wigman's guidance, Huntley police created more than 100 new policies, submitted to a three-and-a-half day, on-site inspection and testified in front of the commission that awards the status.

Besides subtle changes in police response, Huntley residents are now able to access documents and submit grievances more readily, Perkins said.

Huntley isn't out of the woods yet, though. To retain its certification, the department has to periodically review its practices and policies, and update them to conform to changing national standards.

In three years, the department will have to again demonstrate it meets those standards.

"It's really a constant program." Perkins said. "You don't stop doing it."