KIMBALL -- The Kimball Police Department is now accredited through the Nebraska Crime Commission for the first time ever. 

Police department accreditation is a voluntary process where agencies strive to meet specific, nationally recognized standards. 

Ever since Chief of Police Jose Ruiz began his position at KPD in 2023, he has been working toward receiving accreditation through the state. 

“Being accredited with the state shows that we are striving to be a professional agency,” Ruiz said. “It’s something that the KPD hasn’t done before, and it's not an easy thing to get, but we came together as an agency and were able to get it done. It makes me very proud of the staff that I have.” 

The accreditation allows the department to be eligible for loans, grants and donations through the Crime Commission, as well as being eligible for federal grants. 

“To be accredited, we need to have certain policies in place, and we need to be in compliance with the federal guidelines as well, so not being accredited exposes us to more liability,” Ruiz said. 

The department needed to ensure their National Incident-based Reporting System (NIBRS) was up to date, as well as updating their policies. 

“Having the most current policies is extremely important, especially with this job as things are constantly evolving,” Ruiz said. 

Accreditation is not a one-time achievement; the department must resubmit for accreditation every three years to maintain their accredited status. 

The KPD’s current accreditation is valid until January 1, 2028.