Northpinellas: City police force passes accreditation muster

CLEARWATER -- The state has reaccredited the police department, allowing it to remain among a select group of law-enforcement offices in the state to meet the voluntary standard.

In March, a team of reviewers from the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation examined the department's policies, procedures, management and operation to determine whether it complied with about 260 standards of excellence.

For example, they made sure officers qualified on a firing range each year, are trained about infectious diseases and track money given to informers, said Clearwater Sgt. Doug Griffith, who helps the commission evaluate departments across the state.

This week commission chairman Chief Jerry Blough presented a certificate to Clearwater police Chief Sid Klein, an indication the department is among the best in the state.

"It's almost like taking a final exam," said Clearwater Deputy Chief Dewey Williams. "You never know how you're going to do until the grades come out, and we aced this one."

The 10-page report cites several reasons for the the department's success in renewing accreditation.

"The department practices what it preaches with an outstanding community policing program," the report states.

The team of assessors toured two buildings, accompanied officers while on duty and conducted interviews with officers and the public. In the report, the team applauded three programs: the Clearwater Homeless Intervention Project, a Hispanic Outreach program and Blueline CPD, a cable show of which Klein is host.

"The agency has been at the forefront of addressing social problems such as homelessness and drug abuse," the report notes.

Clearwater first completed the accreditation process in May 1998. Accreditation is valid for three years.

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