LaGrange Police Sgt. Karen Sanders was recently elected president of the Georgia Police Accreditation Coalition.  Sanders previously served as secretary, treasurer and vice president.

 “I am honored to serve in this capacity.  The contacts I have made throughout the state are a huge asset to our department,” Sanders said. “This is a support group that strives to make each member agency better by sharing policies, procedures and guidance on current technology and best practices.”

GPAC is dedicated to providing its members with professional leadership in meeting organizational objectives regarding national accreditation and/or state certification. GPAC strives to increase the level or law enforcement professionalism among law enforcement agencies throughout the State of Georgia.

Sanders is in charge of on-going compliance with LPD CALEA and state certification. Sanders is a State Certification Team Leader (Assessor) for mock and on site assessments. In November 2017, the LPD  received its seventh CALEA accreditation, as well as achieved accreditation with excellence award.  

LPD Chief Lou Dekmar said he’s proud of Sanders and the work she’s done for the department.  

“Sgt. Sanders has been a leader in Georgia in the area of certification and accreditation standards, proofs of compliance, and assessment criteria for over a decade,” Dekmar said. “This is reflected not only in the impact she’s made in Georgia, but it has served our citizens in LaGrange as well, by being in the forefront of police accreditation standards.”

Sanders began working at the LaGrange Police Department in 2002. She has served as a Dispatcher, Correctional Officer, Patrol Officer, FTO, Child Abuse Detective, Crisis Negotiation Team Leader, Recruitment Team and Hiring Coordinator, and Officer of Professional Standards. 

For more information, visit Gpacinc.com.