WHEREAS, on January 1, 1996, the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police and the Virginia Sheriffs' Association, in partnership with the Department of Criminal Justice Services, created the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission; and

WHEREAS, the mission of the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission is to advance law-enforcement professionalism through the establishment of professional standards and the administration of a formal mechanism by which Virginia agencies can be systematically measured, evaluated, and updated; and

WHEREAS, the Commission's goals are to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of law-enforcement agencies in the Commonwealth in the delivery of services, to promote cooperation and coordination among all components in all criminal justice systems, to ensure the appropriate level of training for law-enforcement personnel, and to promote public confidence in law enforcement; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission accreditation program is a voluntary accreditation program open to the more than 400 law-enforcement agencies in the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission has established 190 standards that guide policy development, ensuring a high level of quality service delivery, cooperation, training, and public confidence, consistent with the Code of Virginia; and

WHEREAS, the awarding of accreditation status through the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission signifies that a law-enforcement agency has achieved compliance with all applicable standards; and

WHEREAS, the Division of Capitol Police underwent a comprehensive assessment by the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission on March 24 - 26, 2014; and

WHEREAS, because of the many hours of dedication and commitment to the accreditation process by the men and women of the Division of Capitol Police, the Division was found in compliance with all 190 applicable Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards; thus achieving an exceptional 100 percent compliance; and

WHEREAS, the Division of Capitol Police was the first state agency in the Commonwealth of Virginia to complete a reaccreditation with no files returned; and

WHEREAS, under the leadership of Colonel Anthony S. Pike, the Division of Capitol Police was presented with the second certificate of accredited status from the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission on May 15, 2014; and

WHEREAS, the Division of Capitol Police now joins 91 other Virginia law-enforcement agencies awarded the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission's accredited status; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That the Division of Capitol Police hereby be commended for receiving the distinguished Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission second accredited status; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Colonel Anthony S. Pike, Chief of the Division of Capitol Police, as an expression of the House of Delegates' congratulations and respect and admiration for the Division's accomplishments.