The Dedham Police Department passed a statewide review of its policies and operations and will keep its accreditation for another three years.
Police Chief Michael d'Entremont announced Oct. 22 that the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission (MPAC) granted the department full reaccreditation, according to a town press release. The department first earned MPAC accreditation in October 2017.
The designation means the department met every standard set by the commission, which evaluates police agencies on use of force, emergency response planning, training, evidence handling, prisoner transport and vehicular pursuit, among other areas. For Dedham residents, accreditation signals that an outside body reviewed how officers operate and found the department's written policies and practices in line with statewide benchmarks.
MPAC assessors visited the department in April 2026 and found it in compliance with all applicable standards, the town said. The review required demonstrating compliance with more than 270 mandatory standards and more than 70 optional standards.
"Accreditation reflects the commitment by the Department to provide professional police services based on recognized best practices for all members of our community," d'Entremont said in the announcement.
A six-member team led the preparation effort. Deputy Chief Steven Munchbach, Lt. Robert Nedder, Sgt. Jason Sullivan, Sgt. Steven Feeley, Sgt. Detective Michael Doyle and Officer James Lemanski worked with MPAC assessors to document compliance across all required categories.
MPAC accreditation is voluntary. Police departments choose to participate and agree to meet standards established by the law enforcement profession, according to the commission's program guide. Agencies that earn accreditation commit to being assessed on a regular schedule and to correcting any deficiencies found during the review.
The town's announcement states the program promotes accountability among officers, provides independent quality assurance and aims to improve police services across Massachusetts.
MPAC President Scott W. MacDonald, who also serves as Orleans chief of police, and MPAC Vice President Christopher D. Delmonte, Bridgewater's chief of police, were pictured with d'Entremont and members of the Dedham team at the announcement.
The reaccreditation runs for three years, after which the department will face another outside assessment to maintain its status.
