Bloomington Police achieves accreditation for the first time since 2019

Pictured from left – right : Lieutenant Jeff Albee, Assistant Chief Chad Wamsley, ILACP VP Dan Ryan, Chief Jamal Simington, Assistant Chief Paul Williams, Assistant Chief Aaron Veerman, and Lieutenant Jim Clesson. (Photo courtesy: BPD/Facebook)

By Blake Haas

BLOOMINGTON – For the first time since 2019, Bloomington Police received accreditation from the Illinois Law Enforcement Accreditation Program.

ILEAP reviewed how the department’s processes, policies, training, personnel, and operations met industry standards during the accreditation process.

The program signifies that BPD meets or exceeds 69 modern law enforcement professional standards.

The Bloomington community should be very proud of the efforts of professionalism and accountability, which this accreditation measured during the in-depth and rigorous assessment,” said Bloomington Police Chief Jamal Simington in a news release.

We continue to aim high by increasing professionalism, holding ourselves to a high standard, and exceeding the expectations of the community we serve. I am very proud of the professionals I have the privilege to serve with.”

BPD joins only 61 other departments around the state to receive the accreditation.

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…