Officials praise Jackson police at meeting for reaccreditation assessors

Before two assessors representing the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, five Jackson community leaders spoke favorably of the city's police force Monday.

The public information session was held at Jackson City Hall as part of the Jackson Police Department's first reaccreditation process. The assessors, law enforcement personnel from departments in Georgia and Illinois, were set to complete their review Tuesday.

No one spoke against the department's ability to comply with the CALEA's standards.

Dan Bruno, representing CALEA and conducting the review of the department, said the process has gone smoothly and the department's staff was well prepared.

First to speak before the assessors was Cape Girardeau County Coroner John Clifton, who has seen the department grow in an orderly manner.

"They make my job so much easier," he said. "The Jackson Police Department ranks at the top in the state as far as I'm concerned."

Clifton credited the force's teamwork and professionalism working death investigations and securing evidence. He referenced a double homicide in Jackson that involved two children. Clifton recalled arriving at the scene to find the victims untouched and a clear report from officers about the weapon used in the crime.

Clifton said the commission's standards on evidence and death investigations could have been written by the Jackson Police Department.

Both Jackson Mayor Barbara Lohr and city administrator Jim Roach encouraged the assessors to recommend to the commission Jackson receive its reaccreditation. The department was first accredited by CALEA in March 2008.

"They work really hard to keep it a fine community," Lohr said. "We are very proud to have a nationally accredited police department."

John Harth, chaplain for the force and reverend at Immaculate Conception Church, told the assessors the accreditation has "raised the bar" for the department and has reassured the community.

A leader in the city's business sector, Brian Gerau, executive director of the Jackson Chamber of Commerce, said he's proud of the department for keeping crime low in the area -- a positive for new businesses that come to town.

"Our police department is always willing to work with our businesses and make our community feel safe," Gerau said.

Jackson police chief James Humphreys said he'll most likely attend a commission meeting in March to hear its decision on the department's reaccreditation.

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