DEPARTMENT HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2022

Calea

In July 2020, CPD began what is typically a three-year process of obtaining national accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc., (CALEA), also known as “the gold standard in public safety”. Over the past two years, staff have completed a rigorous self-assessment, requiring a review of policies, procedures, practices, and processes against 180 internationally accepted public safety standards and best practices.

In March of 2022, CPD completed an assessment by independent CALEA assessors with significant public safety experience. Additionally, public feedback was sought to promote community trust and engagement, and structured interviews were conducted with select agency personnel, community members, external agency partners, and others with knowledge to assess CPD’s effectiveness and overall service delivery capacities.

In July of 2022, key accreditation staff attended the CALEA conference, which was held in Chicago, IL. Chief Gacek testified before a subcommittee of CALEA Commissioners in a public meeting. Later that same day, the full governing body of twenty-one CALEA commissioners awarded Law Enforcement Accreditation to the Concord Police Department.

FBI NATIONAL ACADEMY: DEPUTY CHIEF JAMES HUGHES

Deputy Chief James Hughes graduated as a member of the 283rd session of the FBI National Academy. The graduation took place at the National Academy in Quantico, Virginia on September 13, 2022. Nationally, fewer than one percent of officers have the opportunity to attend the program.

Internationally known for its academic excellence, the National Academy offers ten weeks of advanced communication, leadership, and fitness training. Participants must have proven records as professionals within their agencies to attend. On average, these officers have 21 years of law enforcement experience and usually return to their agencies to serve in executive-level positions.

The 283rd session consisted of two hundred and thirtyfive law enforcement officers from forty-nine states and the District of Columbia. The class included members of law enforcement agencies from twenty-one countries, five military organizations, and five federal and civilian agencies.

Police Chaplain Program

The Police Chaplain Program is designed to provide a source of emotional and spiritual support to department coworkers, their immediate family members, and the community. The police chaplains are present in the workplace and actively listen with empathy and experience, advising calmly in the midst of turmoil and danger, and offering assistance when appropriate or requested. This support is offered to all coworkers regardless of one’s religion, race, gender, or sexual orientation and without cost.

Concord Police Foundation

The Concord Police Foundation (CPF) is an independent, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to support Concord Police Department employees and their immediate family members; and, to supplement department funding for innovative community policing programs, equipment, and technology to make Concord a safer community to live, work, and visit.

The Foundation was established in the Spring of 2021 with an initial strategic objective to support officers and their families in the event of a line-of duty-death or serious bodily injury. Concord Officer Jason Shuping was tragically killed in the line of duty on December 16, 2020. While the greater Concord community rallied around the Shuping family and Concord Police Department, it quickly became apparent there was a need for a non-profit like CPF to strategically organize that community support.

The CPF Board is comprised of civic-minded community and business leaders with a passion for supporting first responders and public safety professionals. Board members volunteer their time and talents to ensure that the Foundation is positioned, willing, and able to accomplish its mission.

Since establishing the board the Foundation has hosted the Concord Police Department annual awards dinner each year, which recognizes the officers and their families that have gone above and beyond for our department and community.

To support the Concord police officers, families and retirees, the Foundation has been working on providing a wellness app to help with the cumulative stress and emotional trauma. This app is confidential, and customizable and gives proactive wellness support in one wellness platform. This app is currently active and available for officers, their families and retirees.