LaGrange Police Sergeant Karen Sanders was recently elected President of the Georgia Police Accreditation Coalition, or GPAC. Sanders previously served as Secretary, Treasurer, and Vice-President.
“I am honored to serve in this capacity. The contacts I have made throughout the state are a huge asset to our department,” said Sanders.
“This is a support group that strives to make each member agency better by sharing policies, procedures and guidance on current technology and best practices. “
GPAC is dedicated to providing its members with professional leadership in meeting organizational objectives regarding national accreditation and/or state certification. GPAC strives to increase the level or law enforcement professionalism among law enforcement agencies throughout the State of Georgia. This organization currently has 111 member agencies to include police departments, sheriff’s offices, school police departments and state agencies.
Sgt. Sanders is in charge of on-going compliance with LaGrange Police CALEA and state certification. Sanders is a State Certification Team Leader (Assessor) for mock and on site assessments.
In November 2017, the LaGrange Police Department received its 7th CALEA, or accreditation, as well as achieved accreditation with excellence award.
To receive the CALEA Accreditation, the agency must demonstrate a commitment to professional excellence in policy and practice. The accreditation is accomplished through a highly regarded and broadly recognized body of professional standards. The honor is for four years and the agency is required to maintain continuous compliance during the time period. Law enforcement standards ensure officers provide a consistent quality of service to our citizens.
LPD Chief Lou Dekmar says he’s proud of Sgt. Sanders and the work she’s done for the department.
“Sgt. Sanders has been a leader in Georgia in the area of certification and accreditation standards, proofs of compliance, and assessment criteria for over a decade,” said LPD Chief Lou Dekmar.
“This is reflected not only in the impact she’s made in Georgia, but it has served our citizens in LaGrange as well, by being in the forefront of police accreditation standards.”
Sgt. Sanders began working at the LaGrange Police Department in 2002. She has served as a Dispatcher, Correctional Officer, Patrol Officer, FTO, Child Abuse Detective, Crisis Negotiation Team Leader, Recruitment Team and Hiring Coordinator, and Officer of Professional Standards.
There are 18,000 law enforcement agencies across the country and less than 1,000 receive accreditation. Of those 1,000 agencies, only 10% of those receive the accreditation of excellence.
For more information go to gpacinc.com.
