Norton Police Department wins three-year re‑accreditation from state commission

The Norton Police Department received a three‑year re‑accreditation from the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission, Select Board members heard June 18.

The police chief told the board the department satisfied 268 mandatory standards and 66 optional standards covering policies, training, evidence handling, use‑of‑force reporting and other areas, and was awarded the certificate dated June 11, 2026. "Police accreditation is basically following the best standards that are set for police departments and police officers," the chief said, adding the award recognizes both procedures and that "we do what we say we do."

The announcement followed remarks thanking staff who worked on the process. The chief said the effort included coordination with schools, town hall staff and an in‑house auditor, and singled out two staff members who led the project. Mr. Kimball read the commission's certificate aloud and the board applauded the department.

Board members asked the chief to return at a future meeting with an update on committee work related to accreditation and the board signaled support for continuing improvements tied to the accreditation process. The chief noted the re‑accreditation runs through June 2029.

The re‑accreditation highlights the department's compliance with state professional standards and completes a cycle that the chief said will reduce the need for another review for three years. The board did not take any further formal action at the meeting.