THPD earns Indiana Law Enforcement Accreditation

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"The officers and members of the department worked diligently to improve our practices and policies to meet these standards."

-- THPD Chief Shawn Keen

The Indiana Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission recently awarded the Terre Haute Police Department with a certificate recognizing the team's outstanding overall improvement.

Chief of Police Shawn Keen told reporters today, at the THPD headquarters, that the award was a result of a three-year process and team effort. He said the department was one of six to receive the award yesterday in Indianapolis during an Indiana Chiefs of Police conference.

"The officers and members of the department worked diligently to improve our practices and policies to meet these standards," Keen said, noting  the necessary revisions and updates were made to be considered what the ILEAC considers "one of the best." 

"Everything was reviewed in order for us to get this accreditation certificate," he explained.

Policies regarding officer training, use of force, administrative processes and complaint procedures were updated or implemented voluntarily. In demonstrating more accountability within the department and in the community, he explained that the public can now expect improved communication. Part of the plan involves appointing four department public information officers.

Keen recognized Capt. Aaron Loudermilk and "every officer in this department" for the hard work to earn the award.

Mayor Duke Bennett congratulated the department members on professionalism and leadership.

"It's really a big deal for us to take the time and the effort to invest in doing things right," Bennett said, adding, "You know you can always improve on practices -- and especially a credit goes to Aaron for spending so much time on it to make sure it stayed on track, it's really easy to get off base."

ILEAC President Geoff Robison applauds THPD efforts to improve.

"When we can clearly communicate to our communities that 'yes, we are operating under the best of professional law enforcement practices and standards,' a real sense of pride in our law enforcement officers permeates the community," Robison stated in a congratulatory letter.