News
DRUG LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING: The Anderson Police Department was privileged to partner with the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center RPI through Homeland Security and Tri-County Technical College to provide Drug Law Enforcement Training to numerous law enforcement agencies throughout South Carolina and Virginia,January 24-26, 2012. More than 50 police officers were in attendance.
The Drug Law Enforcement Training Program is a two-and-a-half day program intended to provide law enforcement officers with the most current information regarding enforcement strategies and responses to a variety of drug crimes which may occur in their jurisdictions. The investigation and prosecution of drug crimes by patrol, interdiction and drug task force officers was the focus of the program. The development of enforcement strategies to counter criminal trafficking patterns were presented and discussed.
The program was presented by George Lueders, retired from the Jacksonville, Florida, Sheriff’s Office, Phil Williams, former Brevard sherriff and director of Orlando’s MBI, and Robert McSherry, retired NCIS investigator and FLETC instructor.
The training was part of an initiative by Kevin Marsee, SCTOA district representative, to bring more training to the upstate region of South Carolina. Participants received a special visit on Wednesday from Anderson’s own Coach Harold Jones and James “Radio” Kennedy, who inspired the movie “Radio” and spoke about the importance of public service and helping each other.
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Video of City Council recognizing the police department during the March 14, 2011, council meeting for receiving SC Police Accreditation.
ACCREDITATION: On December 14, 2009, the Anderson PD officially submitted an application to the South Carolina Police Accreditation Coalition (SCPAC) to initiate the process to obtain approval as a State accredited law enforcement agency.
The Coalition's primary mission is to promote professional excellence through accreditation among South Carolina's public safety agencies including police departments, sheriff's departments, training academies, and communication centers. The Coalition accomplishes this through a series of mission-critical objectives in which member agencies are assisted with developing professional, legally defensible policies, procedures, plans, analyses, goals, and objectives.
Once an agency feels it has met the standards, the Coalition performs a comprehensive, all-inclusive, multiple-day inspection of the agency and its policies to ensure they have complied with the spirit of the various standards.
On Feb 1-2, 2011, SCPAC assessors appeared on-site at the APD. The assessors conducted an inspection of the operations, management, and administration of the department for the purpose of determining if the APD was in compliance with SCPAC standards and warranted accreditation status.
On March 3, 2011, APD Staff personnel traveled to Columbia and appeared before the Coalition Review Board for the final assessment. The Coalition Review Board determined that the APD had met the standards and requirements for accreditation and awarded the Anderson Police Department State accreditation.
The accreditation process has been long and arduous. It is a process which from the very beginning required the full support of the APD Command Staff, the tireless dedication of the accreditation managers assigned to navigate the department through the process, and total investment of energy and commitment from every APD officer and employee.
State accreditation demonstrates the department's commitment to develop and implement standards which create greater administrative efficiency, increases operational effectiveness, and develops strategies to reduce crime. With an emphasis on training, technology, organizational structure, and community partnerships, the City of Anderson Police Department is committed to improving the quality of life for our citizens.
Fewer than 15% of law enforcement agencies in South Carolina have attained and maintain State or National accreditation. In achieving State accreditation the Anderson Police Department has established itself as a law enforcement agency in pursuit of professional excellence.
A representative from the SCPAC appeared before Anderson City Council on March 14 to make a formal award presentation to the Anderson City Police Department.