The small North Georgia city of Ball Ground has made big strides toward state certification, becoming the third in the state to earn the new Risk Reduction Certificate from the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police (GACP).
“For our community, it means that while we are served by a relatively small department, we are served by a department that has extensive professional standards, is well trained and understands its unique role in the community,” Ball Ground Mayor Rick Roberts said.
The new certificate is a steppingstone in the Georgia Law Enforcement Certification Program, which encompasses a checklist of 140 elements and requires a considerable staff commitment. Only 20 percent of law enforcement agencies in the state have completed the rigorous certification process. GACP and the Georgia Interlocal Risk Management Agency (GIRMA) developed the Risk Reduction Certificate to give departments the opportunity to review internal processes, meet current standards and reduce risk, while advancing toward the end goal of state certification.
The Risk Reduction Certificate addresses activities most likely to result in a Georgia law enforcement agency being named in a lawsuit. Participating departments reduce potential liability by implementing operational procedures, training, documentation and supervisor review requirements that meet established professional and legal standards.
“The program provides police departments with the tools to assess high-liability areas of operations, increase the level of professionalism and promote trust in the community,” said Dan Beck, Director of Local Government Risk Management Services (LGRMS). “It’s more important than ever for departments to demonstrate a commitment to excellence in law enforcement, so we encourage all eligible agencies to participate in the Risk Reduction Certification Program,” he said.
Ball Ground Police Chief Byron Reeves said the certification process was not difficult, other than finding time for administrative work while serving a community of 2,000. It was well worth the effort, he said. The process prompted him to update important policies, such as Use of Force; instilled confidence in existing policies; and established a clear pathway for the department to achieve state certification.
“We’re continuing to grow, and it’s getting better and better,” Chief Reeves said.
Risk Reduction Certificate Requirements
Police departments must meet minimum standards in 10 areas including:
- Human Resources
- Property and Evidence
- Vehicle Operations
- Search and Seizure
- Use of Force and Response to Aggression
- Arrest
- Off-Duty and Extra-Duty Employment
- Other Equipment
Persons Experiencing Mental Health Issues or Persons with Diminished Capacity
Multi-Jurisdictional Task Force
Georgia law enforcement agencies must participate in GIRMA to be eligible for the Risk Reduction Certificate Program. If a law enforcement agency receives the certificate, they will receive a 5-percent discount on their GIRMA Law Enforcement Liability Coverage, and the agency will be recognized as achieving the GACP Risk Reduction Certificate.
Resources include a master policy manual, risk reduction resource manual, assessor worksheets, and other helpful items. The certificate is good for two years.
This article was originally featured in the September/October 2021 edition of Georgia’s Cities Magazine.