OTTAWA — Chief Dennis Butler said he’s seeking national accreditation for the Ottawa Police Department. It’s a process that will take several years but will help Ottawa police become a better department that will serve their community better, he said. Achieving accreditation means the department will adhere to standards set by fellow police agencies, he said. Departments that are accredited have fewer public complaints and fewer incidents of violence, he said. Liability insurance companies usually offer lower rates to cities with accredited departments, he said. The Ottawa Police Foundation is raising money to cover the department’s expenses for the accreditation process.
Tuesday, May 11, 1 p.m.
