BRIDGEPORT — The Bridgeport Police Department is one of the first — and smallest — Ohio law enforcement agencies to pursue accreditation through the Ohio Collaborative Law Enforcement Accreditation Program.

Ed Burkhammer, director of Law Enforcement Services for the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services, visited the Bridgeport Village Council meeting on Tuesday to formalize the department’s participation.

He said a pilot program including 10 agencies was offered in 2024, and 20 departments across the state were selected to take part in 2025. And with just 10 officers, he said Bridgeport is one of the smallest — if not the smallest — police department involved.

To facilitate the police department’s effort, council members unanimously approved Resolution 2025-18, establishing a records retention policy for the police department as required by the state. Police Chief John Bumba then signed a commitment letter, agreeing that the department will adhere to the program’s directives now and into the future.

Burkhammer, himself a retired law enforcement officer, said the program aims to establish best practices and standards for law enforcement. In working to launch the accreditation program over a period of about 10 years, Burkhammer said he discovered there were hundreds of law enforcement agencies that did not have best practices in place. That is when his department started providing those resources to local police departments, beginning with guidance on the use of force, including deadly force, and hiring and retaining personnel, or “keeping good police officers and getting rid of the ones who shouldn’t be.”

He said that effort has grown into 14 professional standards. Those standards include about 75 directives across the state, but even though those directives are issued by executive order of the governor, departments are only required to adhere to those pertaining to use of force and hiring and retention.

“There’s really no teeth in an executive order, so it’s voluntary,” he said, adding that the orders did help his department reach out and provide best practices to local agencies. “… This entire program is funded by the state of Ohio. It’s zero cost to your agencies, except for their time, commitment and effort.”

He said agencies were selected based on their geographic location as well as by department size. Natasha Lorenz, program manager, recognized the Bridgeport Police Department’s potential and recommended it for inclusion.

“She said, “Ed, I love what this agency does. They work very hard, they’re passionate, they’re dedicated, they’re small and mighty, and I love that. I love that a lot,'” Burkhammer quoted Lorenz, noting that his family has roots in the Ohio Valley on the West Virginia side of the Ohio River. “So we wanted to do something really impactful and important, so we reached out to your chief and deputy chief, and they jumped on board voluntarily.”

Burkhammer then explained the concept of accreditation, saying it amounts to providing a conduit of best practices between his department creating them, the agency receiving them, putting them out to employees and then seeing those reflected on the street and in the community. He noted that the department will work closely with Lorenz, and perhaps additional program managers, throughout the accreditation process. He also pointed out to council and the village administration that the department will need their support.

Burkhammer said the goal is to work within the department’s means while increasing the professionalism of the force.

“When we institute these best practices, we expect them to follow them today, tomorrow and every day after that,” he added, noting that proof of that will need to be provided annually, and that every four years the program will conduct an on-site visit and dig through the department’s files to further ensure that the officers are in compliance with the accreditation standards.

“The goal of all this is to prove to your citizens that you all serve, and we serve, that you’re doing the best you can with your resources — that you provide the best public service that you can. Then, when they … question it, they doubt what you’re doing, you also have data, compliance proofs to pull out anytime and prove what you’re doing. And that’s accreditation in a nutshell.”

Copeland acknowledged that “you won’t find more supportive” leadership than his department has in Bridgeport, including Mayor Norma Teasdale, council members and Solicitor Michael Shaheen, who he said took a pay cut so the police officers could receive a raise. He also commended Sgt. Brenton Boston for creating a couple of standards for the department, saying he did a “wonderful job.”

Burkhammer noted there are 965 law enforcement agencies and more than 30,000 sworn officers in Ohio, making Bridgeport’s selection as one of 20 department’s significant. He added that he hopes the BPD will become a leading agency in the local area.