LIBERTY, NY — The Village of Liberty Police Department has become the first police department in Sullivan County’s history to receive New York State Accreditation. 

The accreditation program is voluntary and aims to improve an agency’s professionalism and public confidence in law enforcement. All police departments and sheriff’s offices in New York State are eligible to participate.

To achieve accreditation, agencies must meet a set of standards in three categories: administration, training, and operations. Accreditation means an agency has policies in place to govern its operations and procedures, and that its employees contribute to the agency’s mission and know what is expected of them.

The Liberty police began preparing for accreditation in January 2022. For the next 24 months, all members worked on meeting the 111 standards outlined by the accreditation council. 

In December, the department underwent a three-day, on-site assessment by a team of independent assessors from the Division of Criminal Justice Services. The assessors conducted more than 200 interviews and observations to verify that the department was in compliance. They reviewed all of the department’s personnel, policies, procedures, and records, and unanimously recommended accreditation.

On March 7, Chief Steven D’Agata and Sergeant Robert Morse attended the quarterly meeting of the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services Accreditation Council, where the 19-member council voted to grant New York State Accreditation to the Village of Liberty Police Department.