Pharr PD earns nod from state law enforcement program

PHARR — The city’s law enforcement agency here earned some recognition for their efforts in serving the public and municipal in a recent meeting at City Hall.

The City Commission hosted its regularly scheduled meeting last Tuesday and the police department received Accreditation Status through the Texas Law Enforcement Accreditation Program.

Local officials and public workers attended as Edinburg Police Chief, Jaime Ayala, presented the accreditation to the local agency.

The distinction recognizes law enforcement agencies which demonstrate standards of professionalism, accountability and operational excellence, according to a release by the city.

On the Texas Police Chiefs’ website, the program is a process where agencies across the state “prove their compliance” with Texas’ law enforcement best practices. The organization’s inception was in 2006 and the accreditation program is designed to “strengthen” various types of law enforcement agencies such as municipal, county, state, college, special district and more.

“This accreditation places the Pharr Police Department among an elite group of law enforcement agencies across Texas, with fewer than two percent of agencies statewide having earned this recognition,” the city said in a release. “Additionally, Pharr PD is now only the fourth accredited agency in the Rio Grande Valley and the third in Hidalgo County to achieve this significant milestone.”

Other local agencies who are accredited are Mission and Alton. Pharr is the latest to be added to the list according to the Texas Police Chiefs’ website. There are approximately 231 agencies who are accredited.

The accreditation program evaluates agencies and conducts an external review of policies and operations. Other benefits of the program, according to the organization, is it provides knowledge and information of policing and procedures. In addition, it helps equip law enforcement agencies to decreased exposure to liability risk and cost, as well as demonstrates the standards of the agency.

Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez said that the accreditation was something to be proud of — not only for the agency but as well as the city.

“This accreditation reflects the culture of excellence we strive to uphold in the City of Pharr every day,” Hernandez said. “Our residents deserve a police department they can trust, and this achievement demonstrates the professionalism, integrity, and commitment our officers and staff bring to serving our residents. We are incredibly proud of Chief Gonzalez and the entire department for earning this distinguished recognition.”

Police Chief Juan F. Gonzalez was the individual who accepted the accreditation at the meeting and he credited the accomplishment to his department.

“Accreditation is not earned by the efforts of one person or one division; it is the result of the professionalism, dedication, and commitment demonstrated by each member of our agency every day,” Gonzalez said. “Earning accreditation is a reflection of who we are as a department. It demonstrates our commitment to professionalism, transparency, continuous improvement, and excellence in law enforcement, and it reinforces the trust that our community places in us every day.”

He continued to thank the members of his law force for their hours of dedication to serving the public.

“I would like to thank all the men and women of the Pharr Police Department for their service and hard work,” Gonzalez said. “I am proud of our team, and this recognition represents countless hours of hard work, accountability, and a shared commitment to providing exceptional service to our community.”