Burglaries Down, Marple Police Seek Accreditation

BROOMALL– Chief Tom Murray started his monthly report with some good news at a Board of Commissioners work session meeting on April 2.

"Burglaries are finally down [for the month of March]," stated Murray. "We only had one burglary during the month of March."

However, Murray said thefts are still an issue in the township. According to Murray, there were 32 thefts last month. Overall, said Murray, there were 72 crimes reported, 80 total accidents, and 1,316 service calls in March.

In addition, Murray reminded residents to lock their cars even if it is parked in the driveway at their home.

Marple Police Seek Accreditation To Improve Overall Operations

"Marple Township Police Department is going to undergo the accreditation process, which is a process run by the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association and the end of this process will result in the police department becoming an accredited agency," explained Murray.

The accreditation process involves an intensive review of police procedures and raises the bar for police performance by creating more professional police departments that follow strict guidelines.

"It's taking the police department to the next level of professionalism," said Murray. "It's a self-evaluation process that we go through, measuring ourselves against 132 recognized standards. As a result of our self evaluation, we will make changes in our policies and procedures in things such as evidence handling, prisoner handling, and a whole category of safety issues."

After the self-evaluation process, Murray said an independent group of accredited evaluators will then interview several members of the police department to assure their validity of following the 132 recognized standards. The process will approximately last for 18-24 months.

Since its inception in 2001 there are currently 77 accredited police agencies in the state of Pennsylvania, of which the Springfield Township Police Department is the only accredited agency in Delaware County, according to Murray. 

Some of the benefits of becoming an accredited police agency Murray highlighted include: increasing community relations, reducing the risk of exposure to liability, extending the agency's accountability to public officials, and developing improved methods by providing services to the community.

Murray said the intent to make the police department an accredited agency was a goal of his when he first became chief of police six years ago.