Press Release, Hope Police Department

In 2017, the Hope Police Department was originally accredited by the Arkansas Law Enforcement Accreditation Program (ALEAP).  In the summer of 2020 the Hope Police Department began its mandated 3 year reaccreditation process.  The process involved proving our Police Department complied with established standards, practices and policies over the past three years of operation.  Arkansas along with approximately 27 other states and national entities offer accreditation programs and peer review in an effort to ensure law enforcement agencies are operating according to accepted best practices.  The process concluded November 9, 2020 with auditors conducting onsite reviews at the Hope Police Department.  The audit included such things as file reviews, proof of policy compliance with all standards required, interviews with various staff to ensure continuity of policy understanding, visual inspections, a ride along, and evidence room compliance inspection.    

HPD recently received its final report and was approved for reaccreditation.  A few highlighted comments from the report include: “It is this auditors opinion that evidence management by this agency is one of, if not the, best in the state.”  Additionally, the report states, “The agency has continued to display that they are one of the best staffed, trained and supervised agencies in the state.  The agency takes pride in its appearance, job skill, and relationships with its community…”  Chief of Police JR Wilson stated, “The staff of HPD is truly second to none.  I am so proud of all of our sworn and non-sworn employees.  They have pride in their work and care for their community.  We all share the highest of expectations for our police force.  While we are not perfect and the accreditation report found a couple of timely administrative items for us to correct, which I alone take full responsibility for, I hope our citizens know how much effort our employees put in to deliver the highest quality law enforcement services possible for our citizens.  I hope that our best efforts reflect not only in our job tasks and work product but most importantly in our demeanor, communication, professionalism and community respect and trust.  Our department exists to help all people in our community live better and safer.”