The Boardman Township Police Department has been selected for accreditation through the Ohio Collaborative Law Enforcement Accreditation Program it was announced last week during the quarterly meeting of the Ohio Collaborative Community Police Advisory Board in Columbus.
      Gov. Mike DeWine created the program in 2024.
      Law enforcement agencies that participate in the Ohio Collaborative Law Enforcement Accreditation Program must meet 32 policing standards that address various core responsibilities in law enforcement such as professional conduct, bias-free policing, crisis intervention and community engagement. Standards also address policies surrounding criminal arrests, use of force, vehicular pursuits, appropriate policing of youth, patrol practices, record and evidence management, agency wellness and career development.
      24 agencies in Ohio that are accredited. Of those agencies, three are in Mahoning County including the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office and the Beaver Township Police Department.
      “The Boardman Police Department has worked hard over the last several years to meet the best practice standards of the Ohio Collaborative. Taking that next significant step to become only one of 24 agencies in the state to achieve formal accreditation speaks to the professionalism of the men and women of our department who work hard every day in our community,” Chief Todd Werth said, adding “The efforts of Lt. Mike Sweeney and Officer Bill Woods throughout this process were instrumental in achieving the accreditation.”
      Chairman of Boardman Township’s Board of Trustees, Steve Yacovone noted “This is a wonderful program that recognizes the hard work of law enforcement agencies across the State of Ohio and the residents of Boardman should be proud that our department was selected from the numerous applicants they receive each year. We will continue to strive to provide the best services for our wonderful township.”
      The program, which is the only state-administered accreditation program in the nation that does not charge law enforcement agencies to participate, is voluntary and open to all law enforcement agencies in the state.
      The accreditation program expands on a separate program - the Ohio Collaborative Law Enforcement Certification Program - that has certified more than 600 law enforcement agencies on specific best practices regarding use of force and law enforcement recruitment, hiring, and screening.
      In announcing the accreditation program in 2024, DeWine noted “You can’t put a price on professionalism in public service,” said Governor DeWine. “Every citizen in Ohio deserves to live in a community where its police force is guided by the highest standards of integrity, accountability, and excellence. Accreditation instills public trust and confidence in policing practices, and by offering this new program for free, we’re making accreditation attainable for all agencies no matter how big or small.”
      Boardman PD had previously obtained certification in all of the Collaborative categories prior to seeking accreditation.
      The Advisory Board says there are 15 police agencies in Mahoning County involved in any phase of the certification process, and lists those agencies by manpower.
      Mahoning County Law Enforcement
      In Any Phase of Certification Process
      Agency Manpower
      Austintown......................................41
      Beaver..........................................18
      Boardman........................................61
      Canfield........................................27
      Craig Beach............................................8
      Goshen..........................................17
      Jackson.........................................13
      Mahoning County Sheriff........................................216
      Mill Creek Park............................................19
      Poland Township........................................19
      Sebring.........................................11
      Smith...........................................12
      Springfield.....................................11
      Youngstown PD..........>..................................128
      Youngstown State...........................................50