MPD Pursues Re-accreditation from WILEAG, Invites Public Comment

MILWAUKEE, WI – In 2022, The Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) began the re-accreditation process from the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Accreditation Group (WILEAG). WILEAG offers a voluntary method of achieving the highest standards of professionalism through the accreditation of law enforcement agencies in an effort to better serve their respective communities.  Accredited agencies demonstrate compliance with applicable standards covering all aspects of law enforcement administration and operations.

A team of assessors from WILEAG, will arrive on May 22, 2023 to examine all aspects of the MPD’s policy and procedures, management, operations, and support services. MPD must comply with over 260 standards in order to achieve re-accredited status. Accreditation is granted for three years, during which time MPD must submit annual reports attesting continued compliance with the standards under which it was initially accredited.

The assessment team is composed of law enforcement practitioners from other Wisconsin law enforcement agencies. The assessors will review written material, interview individuals, and visit offices and the places where compliance may be witnessed. The assessors are: Glendale Police Chief Mark Ferguson, West Allis Police Department Deputy Chief Bob Fletcher (Team Lead), Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department Captain Michelle Leffler, Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department Captain Lara Vendola Messer, Muskego Police Department Sergeant Pete Lynkiewicz, Baraboo Police Department Sergeant Ryan Werner, Kirstin Larson of the Port Washington Police Department, and Angela Rygielski of the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department. Once the assessors complete their review of the agency, they will report to the WILEAG Board, which will then decide if the Milwaukee Police Department is to be granted accredited status.

All members of the public may provide comments to the assessment team by calling (414) 935-7194 on May 24, 2023, between the hours of 1:00 P.M. and 3:00 P.M. Telephone comments are limited to ten minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with WILEAG’s standards. A copy of the standards is available at the Milwaukee Police Department, 6680 North Teutonia Avenue, Milwaukee, WI. 53209. The MPD contact for further information is Captain Liam Looney, (414) 935-7939.

Persons wishing to offer written comments about MPD’s ability to meet the standards for reaccreditation may be emailed to WILEAG Executive Director Katie Wrightsman at executive.director@wileag.info or mailed to 7525 West Greenfield Avenue, West Allis, WI 53214.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.