Gwinnett Daily Post

SUWANEE -- The Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police has awarded the Suwanee Police Department statewide certification. The certification is valid for three years, and confirms that the agency's practices are consistent with progressive professional standards.

"State certification helps us to be vigilant in maintaining efficient and effective operations and practices," Chief Mike Jones said in a news release. "It helps to keep us on task."

Suwanee Police first earned state certification in 2000, and three years ago it was nationally certified for the first time by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. A re-accreditation review of Suwanee Police by CALEA is scheduled for later this year.

State certification measures more than 100 standards, while national certification must meet more than 450 standards. But 21 of the state standards are unique and not included in the national standards.