Basalt Police Department earns rare Colorado accreditation

The Basalt Police Department has received a rare accreditation given to law enforcement agencies based on standards set by the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police and County Sheriffs of Colorado.

Only 40 agencies out of 239 in the state, or about 17 percent, have earned the recognition. No other agency in the Roaring Fork Valley has the accreditation. It is good for five years.

Basalt Police Chief Greg Knott said the officers and other department members decided they wanted to seek the accreditation, then took a good look inward at the criteria and made a commitment to meet the standards.

Numerous best practices must be achieved to receive the accreditation. They range from appropriate use of force, emergency response, code of conduct and discipline, and handling of evidence and property.

The accreditation was formally awarded to the Basalt Police Department at a Town Council meeting Tuesday. Grand Junction Chief of Police John Camper awarded the Basalt department. Nearly all members of the Basalt staff attended the ceremony.