The Tennessee Law Enforcement Accreditation (TLEA) Program recently announced that it has granted re-accreditation status to the Murfreesboro Police Department. MPD is one of eighteen Tennessee law enforcement agencies having achieved re-accreditation

"As Mayor of the City of Murfreesboro, and on behalf of the City Council, I applaud the Murfreesboro Police Department on receiving re-accreditation from the Tennessee Law Enforcement Accreditation Program," said Mayor Shane McFarland. "This is formal recognition of the professionalism and excellence demonstrated by MPD and the willingness of our law enforcement personnel and leadership to undergo observation and scrutiny in meeting the highest standards.

The department formally received this achievement during the City Council meeting Thursday, July 21, 2016. Chief Jeff Hughes of the Brentwood Police Department presented the award on behalf of the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police (TACP) to Mayor Shane McFarland, Police Chief Karl Durr, Deputy Chief Michael Bowen, Assistant Chief Eric Cook, and Accreditation Manager Sergeant Kyle Evans.

To achieve accreditation with TLEA, an agency voluntarily submits to a process of enhancing the agency's professionalism and effectiveness utilizing more than 160 law enforcement standards and participating in a thorough on-site assessment.

The standards address a variety of areas including organizational, operational, safety, and budget management practices. Murfreesboro Police Department successfully accomplished TLEA accreditation by meeting criteria that measured the professionalism, organizational, and overall readiness in law enforcement policy and procedures. The program is intended to encourage cooperation, recognize professional standing, develop professional services, and ensure public safety throughout the State of Tennessee.

"I am pleased to present the second award of accreditation to the MPD," stated Chief Jeff Hughes. The standard of excellence met through this process is to be admired. We are proud to recognize the hard work of the Murfreesboro Police Department and its staff," added Hughes. "The Tennessee Law Enforcement Accreditation Program is a voluntary program that recognizes the excellence and professional achievement in law enforcement agencies across the State of Tennessee. Forty-one Tennessee agencies have achieved accreditation, with eighteen having achieved re-accreditation."

In receiving re-accreditation recognition, Chief Karl Durr stated: "It takes commitment, dedication, and hard work from the agency personnel and community leaders to meet the standards prescribed by the program. The Murfreesboro Police Department has a fine tradition of professionalism and will continue to strive to provide the best service and protection for our community."

The MPD received its first award of accreditation in July, 2013.