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Pine Bluff Police Department becomes the first in Arkansas to earn advanced state accreditation

Pine Bluff, Arkansas – The Pine Bluff Police Department has officially achieved Tier 1 Accreditation through the Arkansas Law Enforcement Accreditation Program (ALEAP), marking a significant accomplishment in its ongoing efforts to improve accountability, transparency, and community trust.

This achievement comes just months after the department earned Tier 2 Accreditation in February 2024, showing clear progress toward strengthening internal standards and professional excellence.

During the October 6 meeting of the Pine Bluff City Council, Assistant Police Chief Kelven Hadley recognized the key leaders and staff who made this milestone possible. Hadley specifically praised former Police Chief Denise Richardson for initiating the accreditation process. “When Shirley Warrior became interim chief earlier this year,” Hadley explained, “She picked the reigns up and she carried the ball to the finish.”

Hadley also highlighted the critical role played by Administrative Coordinator Atless Brown, saying, “We probably wouldn’t have gotten this done without the help of this young man right here. He did a tremendous job. It’s a lot of work to get this done.”

ALEAP Director Jackie Davis noted that Pine Bluff is the first police department in the state to advance from basic to advanced accreditation, making this accomplishment especially noteworthy.

What Accreditation Means for Pine Bluff

Police accreditation is a thorough process that requires departments to demonstrate compliance with a set of professional standards designed to improve public service. These standards cover everything from officer conduct and use of force policies to community relations and internal training.

Accreditation strengthens community confidence in law enforcement by:

  • Creating clear and consistent policies that guide officer behavior

  • Promoting fairness across all areas of police operations

  • Enhancing training and ongoing development for officers

  • Ensuring that the department is subject to outside review of its practices

The Tier 1 Accreditation reflects the Pine Bluff Police Department’s commitment to aligning itself with best practices in modern policing.

“This is a major moment for our department,” said John Worthen, PBPD public information specialist. “This represents a lot of hard work on the part of many different people in the department. It’s another milestone for us to be the best we can be for the people of Pine Bluff.”

Ongoing Commitment to Excellence

While this accomplishment is a source of pride, the department remains focused on continuing its journey toward full accreditation. The PBPD has emphasized that it will keep working to uphold the highest standards in public safety, transparency, and community service.

For more information about the Arkansas Law Enforcement Accreditation Program, residents can visit the Arkansas Association of Chiefs of Police website.

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