THIS DEPARTMENT IS CURRENTLY A MEMBER OF THE MASSACHUSETTS POLICE ACCREDITATION COMMISSION (MPAC) AND IN THE SELF-ASSESSMENT PHASE OF CERTIFICATION. THIS FUNDING WOULD BE IMMEASURABLE TO COMPLETING THE GOAL OF CERTIFICATION BY FEBRUARY 2027 AS DEEMED BY MPAC. IN MASSACHUSETTS, THE MASSACHUSETTS POLICE ACCREDITATION COMMISSION (MPAC) REQUIRES CERTIFICATION BEFORE WORKING TOWARDS ACCREDITATION. BEING ABLE TO ACHIEVE CERTIFICATION WOULD MEAN THE LEICESTER POLICE DEPARTMENT AGREES TO PROGRAM STANDARDS AS A WAY OF CONDUCTING BUSINESS. BEING CERTIFIED MEANS THAT (1) THE AGENCY IS COMMITTED TO MEETING PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS, (2) THE AGENCY IS WILLING TO BE ASSESSED ON A REGULARLY SCHEDULED BASIS BY COMMISSION-APPOINTED ASSESSORS TO CONFIRM COMPLIANCE WITH PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS, AND (3) THE AGENCY AGREES TO CORRECT ANY DEFICIENCIES DISCOVERED DURING THE ASSESSMENT PROCESS TO ESTABLISH OR RE-ESTABLISH COMPLIANCE WITH PROGRAM STANDARDS. MORE IMPORTANTLY, THIS PROCESS IS NOT A PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF ANY INDIVIDUAL, BUT RATHER A MEASURE OF THE AGENCY'S POLICIES AND PROCEDURES VERIFYING THERE ARE SPECIFIC DIRECTIVES AND PROCESSES COVERING VARIOUS ASPECTS OF ITS OPERATION. WORKING TOWARDS BEING CERTIFIED, AND EVENTUALLY ACCREDITED, WOULD ALLOW THIS AGENCY TO HAVE STANDARDS ON THE BEST PRACTICES AND POLICIES FOR POLICE AGENCIES. WHILE CERTIFICATION IS A LENGTHY PROCESS, IT IS ONE THAT IS NOT A MANDATED TASK, BUT WILL KEEP THE DEPARTMENT IN THE CURRENT MAINSTREAM OF APPLICABLE CHANGES TO LAW ENFORCEMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURE.