NEWS RELEASE Contact: Chief Cynthia McAlister
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE cmcalister@purcellvilleva.gov, 540-338-7422
PURCELLVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT ACHIEVES 3RD VLEPSC REACCREDITATION
PURCELLVILLE, Va., June 17, 2021 — Today, the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission (VLEPSC) met and unanimously confirmed the third reaccreditation of the Purcellville Police Department. The Purcellville Police Department held their onsite VLEPSC reaccreditation assessment May 3-4, 2021. The VLEPSC accreditation process consists of maintaining 190 standards covering all aspects of law enforcement, including the areas of administration, operations/patrol, property and evidence, criminal investigations, personnel, budget, and training.
The onsite assessment was held over two days, with a team of four assessors reviewing the agencies policies and procedures to ensure proper proofs of compliance for 190 standards encompassing the past four years. The assessment also included an inspection of the agency facility, static display of patrol vehicles, bicycle unit, and weapons, property and evidence audit, ride-along component, and interviews with Department personnel.
The Purcellville Police Department was first accredited in 2009, achieving its first reaccreditation in 2013, and reaccredited again in 2017. Agencies must maintain their accreditation status by adhering to the comprehensive standards and completing an annual verification report of compliance, with an onsite assessment every four years. Accreditation is an ongoing process that requires the Department to align with the best professional practices and procedures in law enforcement.
Chief Cynthia McAlister stated, “We are proud to achieve our third VLEPSC reaccreditation. We as an agency strive for excellence, and accreditation is an important tool for ensuring we are kept abreast of law enforcement best practices and policy. Our Department worked very hard to achieve this coveted honor, and we continue to maintain adherence to these standards to best serve our community.”
The Town of Purcellville, Virginia
“Purcellville-your small Town, where history and progress intersect and people prosper,” is an award-winning town of over 10,000 residents located in Loudoun County, approximately 50 miles west of Washington, DC. Having received the prestigious Siemens Sustainability Award for Small Communities, Purcellville continues to be honored for its green initiatives with most recently being the Tree City USA recipient for the 12th year. The Town was reaffirmed as a AAA rated community by S&P Global Ratings, the highest credit rating possible, and is ranked “Safest City” in Virginia in 2020. Once a stop along the W&OD rail line, which has been converted to a multi-use trail from Alexandria, VA to Purcellville, the Town has maintained its historic old-town feel through the restoration and maintenance of its many downtown structures, reflecting the Victorian architecture popular during the early 1900s. Today, Purcellville is the economic hub of western Loudoun County and a popular weekend destination for antiquing, equestrian activities, farmer’s markets, wineries, breweries, distilleries and restaurants. More info at www.purcellvilleva.gov.
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