Officers are trained and certified in Crisis Intervention Training (CIT), a specialized police curriculum on advanced de-escalation skills that help reduce the risk of serious injury. In addition to up to 40 hours of in-service training per year including scenario-based training, firearms and use-of-force training, WPD officers take educational courses and classes on:

• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• De-escalation
• Community Relations and Engagement
• Effective Verbal Communication
• Ethics and Professionalism
• Human Relations/Conflict Management
• Critical Incident Stress Management
• Ohio Ethics Training
• Officer Wellness
• Officer Safety
• Emergency Vehicle Operations
• Legal Updates
• Domestic Violence Laws

In the first quarter of 2020, WPD entered into a contract with CALEA (Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies). Accreditation embodies the precepts of community-oriented policing. It creates a forum in which law enforcement agencies and citizens work together to prevent and control challenges and provides clear direction about community expectations. Accreditation ensures an agency embraces the concepts of integrity, transparency and accountability. The Division received CALEA accreditation at the November 2021 CALEA conference.

Anyone wishing to provide comments regarding our agency's compliance with CALEA standards, engagement in the service community, delivery of public safety services, and overall candidacy for accredited status, may provide comments to CALEA through the following Public Comment Portal:  https://cimrs2.calea.org/1014 (Westerville (OH) Division of Police). 

These comments can be in the form of commendations or concerns. The overall intent of the accreditation process is to provide our agency with information to support continuous improvement, as well as foster the pursuit of professional excellence.

IMPORTANT: CALEA is not an investigatory body and subsequently the public portal should not be used to submit information for such purposes. Additionally, there will be no response other than acknowledgment of submissions; however, the information will be considered in context to its relevancy to compliance with standards and the tenets of CALEA® Accreditation.

WPD was recertified in 2019 by the Ohio Community Collaborative, a panel of law enforcement experts and community leaders who establish statewide standards. These standards are built upon accountability to instill a greater confidence with the public. The Collaborative works closely with its partners, including the community and law enforcement agencies, to implement standards.

WPD enacted body camera use in 2019. Policy requires all uniformed officers to be outfitted with a body-worn camera, which captures interactions in high-definition video. The camera is activated during all enforcement and investigative contacts with the public, all traffic stops, and other self-initiated acts that would normally require the officer to notify dispatch/ communications. This tool is designed to enhance overall accountability and transparency in the daily interactions officers have with the public.

Also in 2019, WPD began tracking demographic data of all officer-initiated traffic stops. This process requires documentation of the individual’s race, gender, and ethnicity, and these statistics are periodically checked to ensure WPD is statistically compliant with accreditation. Under Chief Chandler’s leadership, demographics of traffic stops are tracked and monitored for disparities.

Along with the implementation of Guardian Tracking, WPD has updated and implemented a rigorous Internal Affairs process to investigate complaints made by the public. This process includes professional review of public complaints, working closely with the public to gain an understanding of law enforcement procedures, while WPD gains insight on how citizens perceive encounters.

Depending on the nature of the complaint, cases are investigated by Internal Affairs or they are sent to the employee’s direct supervisor for prompt investigation. At the conclusion of the investigation, complainants receive notification of the findings. Actions depend on all of the circumstances surrounding the reported incident.

Use of Force Committee
WPD requires all uses of force to be documented and reviewed. 

The Use of Force committee, staffed by sworn officers, is empowered to review all incidents involving uses of force. The committee does not have the authority to recommend discipline, but does provide a majority recommendation to the Chief as to whether or not an officer’s actions were within policy. The committee may also recommend the development or revision of training and policy. The Chief of Police reviews the findings, making a final determination as to whether the employee’s actions were within policy and procedure. If the findings warrant disciplinary action, the Chief may take such action.

WPD policy requires an outside agency to investigate any use of deadly force. (NOTE: WPD prohibits the use of the neck restraint.)

WPD reorganized under the administration of Chief Chandler (late 2019). The structure was designed to maximize front and mid-line supervision, and provide more direct oversight for professional standards and training. In addition, a Crime Analyst position was created to assist in tracking crime trends, family violence and demographic audits.

At the Justice Center, WPD utilizes a use-of-force 300-degree field of view simulator. This specialized, immersive training creates realistic and interactive simulations. By more accurately replicating objects, subtle visual details, body language and non-verbal threat cues, these simulators allow for enhanced training and repetition of real-world encounters.

WPD has made a significant effort to recruit officers who best represent the community it serves. The agency has increased diversity and expanded recruitment efforts by utilizing a national testing program. The police hiring process is lengthy and thorough. Candidates must successfully complete a truth verification exam, physical fitness test, psychological examination and background investigation.

Community policing is a long-standing tradition in Westerville. Since 1999, more than 50 classes of residents have graduated from the WPD Citizen Police Academy, many going on to serve in its nationally recognized alumni association.

Hundreds of young adults interested in law enforcement as a profession have participated in the Westerville Public Safety Academy. Some move on to serve as Public Safety Cadets, a pre-professional program for ages 14-21. Several cadets from this program have also been hired as Westerville police officers.

A number of special events and programs are conducted throughout the year to serve the Westerville residents and visitors. Central Ohio Cops & Kids Day, National Night Out and Women’s Self Defense training are annual programs WPD hosts to reach special populations.