WESTPORT–The Westport Police Department has attained Tier 3 accreditation – the highest level attainable – from the Connecticut Police Officer Standards and Training Council (POSTC), the department announced.

The state-sponsored accreditation program requires law enforcement agencies to demonstrate that they comply with a comprehensive set of professional standards that serve to enhance public confidence, improve services and promote professionalism, the department said. 

Well ahead of deadline

Under the state Police Accountability Act, all police agencies must reach POSTC Tier 3 by December of 2026. 

“We are proud to have achieved that level well over a year prior to the deadline,” said Lt. Anthony Presioso, the department’s public information officer. 

In a Sept. 11, 2025, ceremony held in Hartford, POSTC Chairman Keith Mello presented official letters of recognition to Westport Police Department’s Accreditation Officer, Staff Corporal Michael Ruttenber and Professional Standards Commander Deputy Chief David Wolf.

Compliance with standards of excellence

To achieve each level of accreditation, a department must establish written directives, implement consistent administrative and operational procedures, develop preparedness programs for critical incidents and undergo assessment by state-appointed assessors to confirm compliance with recognized standards of excellence in law enforcement, the department said. 

Westport’s neighboring departments of Bridgeport, Fairfield, Wilton and Weston are among the other agencies that have reached Tier 3, according to the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection. Some other departments, including Norwalk, have attained a more stringent accreditation from the national Commission on Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies, which the state does not require, the state agency said.