The Hatboro Police Department became accredited by assessors of the Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission (PLEAC) on February 11, 2020, under the leadership of former Chief of Police James Garnder.  Accredited Law Enforcement Agencies undergo a reassessment every three years in order to maintain their accreditation status. The Hatboro Police Department was reaccredited on February 11, 2023. The accreditation process is well established in other professional organizations. For many years, hospitals, universities and other professional fields have undergone accreditation to prove compliance with a set of professional standards. The concept of accreditation is a progressive and time-proven way of helping organizations evaluate and improve their overall performance. 

PLEAC Accreditation requires the Hatboro Police Department to meet 139 standards that address four areas: Organization and Management Roles. Law Enforcement Functions, Staff Support Responsibilities, and Pennsylvania Legal Mandates. Accreditation is an ongoing process whereby the agency is required to establish policy and procedures against stringent standards. Agencies must prove compliance to those standards, verified by three independent assessors during an onsite assessment. The assessors review training, services, equipment, policies, and conduct "ride-alongs" to verify compliance with the best practices as set forth by PLEAC. Accreditation affects every aspect of the agency and assures the community is receiving professional police services. 

PLEAC Accreditation is a coveted award that symbolizes professionalism, excellence and competence in the law enforcement profession.  The residents and visitors served by the Hatboro Police Department can take pride knowing their police department represents the very best in Pennsylvania Law Enforcement. 

Benefits of Accreditation for our police department: 

• Establishes a credible framework for evaluating agency practices and procedures.
• Reduces agency risk and exposure to lawsuits.
• Decreases some liability insurance expenditures.
• Improves law enforcement – community relations.
• Increases employee input, interaction and confidence in the agency.
• Enlarges the outlook and viewpoints of managers, officers and employees.
• Identifies and highlights the capabilities and competence of the agency.
• Furnishes a solid foundation for the agency to build upon for further progress.
• Provides reliable methods to improve essential management procedures.
• Extends agency accountability to the public and elected officials.
• Enhances planning and innovative activities by all agency personnel.
• Develops improved methods for providing services to the community.
• Encourages problem-solving activities within the agency.