The Kennett Township Police Department has officially earned accreditation status through the Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission (PLEAC), a program of the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association.

On April 8 and 9, on-site assessors conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the police department, reviewing facilities, operations, equipment, personnel interviews, and more than 600 proofs of compliance across 136 standards. The department’s success was formally recognized on June 24 at the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association’s quarterly commission meeting where Kennett Township Manager Alison Dobbins, Police Chief Matthew Gordon, and Accreditation Manager Gretchen Porterfield accepted the Certificate of Law Enforcement Accreditation following unanimous approval by the commission.

The achievement was formally unveiled during the September 3 Board of Supervisors meeting, when Accreditation Program Coordinator and retired Police Chief James Adams presented the certificate and shared the history of the state’s accreditation program.

Accreditation is awarded for a three-year cycle, during which agencies must maintain continuous compliance with every standard. Annual reporting and readiness for future on-site assessments are required to retain certified status.

“From the outside, some might not expect our department to achieve accreditation—our current station is far from ideal,” said Gordon. “But our officers worked together with determination and creativity to meet PLEAC’s rigorous standards. I’m grateful to our township manager, elected officials, and most of all, to accreditation manager Gretchen Porterfield. While I may be the one recognized as chief, this achievement is truly the result of her extraordinary effort.”

Porterfield said, “Some departments can spend upwards of 10 years working toward accreditation; we pulled this off in a year. I’m very proud of that. I’m proud of our department and proud to work in Kennett Township to continue to serve this community the way that we do.”

The township’s police department also extended a special thank you to Jennifer Ruggeri, an accreditation specialist with Lexipol. Her expertise was instrumental for everything from preparing documentation and coordinating mock assessments to monitoring compliance progress in PowerDMS, the department’s digital accreditation management system, and ensuring a smooth on-site review.

“This accomplishment reflects the hard work, professionalism, and dedication of the men and women of the Kennett Township Police Department,” said Dobbins. “I want to thank each of our officers for the time and energy they put into this process.”

“Accreditation strengthens the department’s ability to provide effective, efficient service to our residents and reinforces our commitment to professionalism and public safety,” added Richard Leff, the chair of the township’s Board of Supervisors.

This milestone reflects the Kennett Township Police Department’s pursuit of accountability, best practices, and community trust. Despite infrastructure limitations, the department demonstrated resilience and collaboration—proving that excellence is defined not by facilities, but by the people who serve.