The Stafford Police Department has earned the Texas Law Enforcement Best Practices Accreditation, a credential held by roughly 220 of the state's law enforcement agencies.
Richmond Police Chief Jeff Craig presented the certificate at the Wednesday, Sept. 16, Stafford City Council meeting. Craig attended as a representative of the Texas Police Chiefs Association (TPCA), which administers the program through its nonprofit foundation.
The city announced the accreditation on X the following day.
What the accreditation requires
The voluntary program asks agencies to prove compliance with 170 standards spanning 12 areas of law enforcement operations. Those areas include use of force, protection of citizens' rights, vehicle pursuits, property and evidence management, patrol operations, training, personnel and records management.
To earn the credential, a department conducts a self-assessment of its policies and procedures, then compiles proof-of-compliance files for each standard. A team of assessors, usually two, from another part of the state conducts an on-site review.
The team leader prepares a report that goes to the TPCA's nine-member Accreditation Committee, made up entirely of active police chiefs, for a final decision.
The standards were developed to protect citizens' rights, improve officer safety and ensure the operational integrity of law enforcement agencies, according to program materials.
What it means for Stafford
The accreditation signals that the department's policies, equipment, facilities and operations have passed outside scrutiny. The program, created in 2006, focuses specifically on Texas agencies. It is similar to the national accreditation program but lower in cost and easier to administer, according to program materials.
As of April 2026, about 220 agencies statewide had earned the credential. It is not clear from public records whether this is Stafford PD's first accreditation or a renewal.
The accreditation lasts four years. During that period, Stafford PD must submit annual reports and demonstrate continuing compliance with performance-related standards.
Residents can reach the Stafford Police Department at (281) 261-3950.
