Lake Zurich cops get thumbs-up from national organization
Lake Zurich Police Chief Steven Husak said a reduction in his department's potential exposure to lawsuits is among the benefits of it receiving a passing grade from a national law-enforcement organization.
Mayor Thomas Poynton and the six village board trustees applauded at the dais after receiving details Monday night from Husak on the reaccreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies.
Poynton said the police department gaining approval for its operations from the Virginia-based group "is considered the gold standard for public safety organizations and is recognized internationally."
"I know this is a pretty extensive process that you went through," Poynton told Husak.
Two out-of-state assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies visited Lake Zurich police in December to ensure all applicable laws, policies and procedures are being followed, Husak said. Residents, police employees and authorities from other towns were interviewed as part of the assessment process.
Husak said it's important to have an ability to tap into expertise from an outside accreditation organization that offers a proven management system, written directives and sound operational practices.
"It reduces risk and liability exposure for us in the village and also reduces our civil liability," Husak added. "Our insurance risk management group encourages us to be ... accredited. It does help overall."
This year is the third time since 2006 Lake Zurich police have achieved accreditation as part of a periodic review process, officials said. Husak said following the law-enforcement organization's detailed standards allows the department to hold employees accountable for their actions.
Elsewhere in Lake County, Grayslake police are about to seek approval from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. An accreditation team will host a public information session at 6 p.m. Monday, April 11, at village hall for its examination of Grayslake police.