Seven Orange County police departments earn state recognition under voluntary accreditation program
Officials say $380,000 in state funding helped departments meet rigorous standards for training, operations and accountability.
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Seven Orange County police departments have earned state recognition under New York’s voluntary police accreditation program — a designation officials say reflects their commitment to professionalism, accountability and public trust.
Police chiefs and local elected leaders gathered Friday to mark the milestone. The departments recognized include those in the towns of Chester, Goshen, Mount Hope and Tuxedo; the villages of Goshen and Tuxedo Park; and the City of Port Jervis.
The accreditation program sets statewide standards for how law enforcement agencies train officers, manage operations and oversee administration. Agencies must meet detailed benchmarks designed to improve effectiveness, strengthen internal policies and foster public confidence.
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State Sen. James Skoufis said earning the designation signals a department’s commitment to continuous improvement.
“When a department gets this designation, it’s a signal to everyone in their community that they’re always looking to improve,” Skoufis said. “They’ve gone through this process, they’ve been successful, and they’ve reached the highest standards expected and offered by New York State.”
About $380,000 in state funding secured by Skoufis’ office helped departments cover costs associated with meeting those standards. Officials said the funding supported equipment purchases, training initiatives and administrative upgrades required for recognition.
The seven newly recognized agencies join 11 other accredited departments across Orange County, including the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. In total, 18 law enforcement agencies in the county now hold accreditation — one of the highest totals in New York state, according to officials.
