The Missouri Police Department have once again been instrumental in our nationally recognized first responders earning the prestigious “Recognized Law Enforcement Agency” award for the fourth time from the Texas Police Chiefs Association Law Enforcement Recognition Program.
Police Chief Mike Berezin and his team were notified of the accolade on Dec. 2, 2021. “The Missouri City Police Department endeavors to provide superior service for our community and this process provided for an independent review of the department’s policies, procedures and operations,” Chief Berezin said. “All of our command staff and officers are committed to this process and it assures the citizens that its Police Department is recognized as one of the best law enforcement agencies in the State of Texas.”
The recognition program was started in 2006 and is designed to evaluate a police department’s compliance with more than 168 Best Business Practices for Texas Law Enforcement. “These best practices were carefully developed by Texas Law Enforcement professionals to assist agencies in the efficient and effective delivery of service and the protection of individual’s rights,” Berezin said. “The practices cover all aspects of law enforcement operations including use of force, protection of citizen rights, vehicle pursuits, property and evidence management, and patrol and investigative operations.”
The Missouri City Police Department was originally recognized by the Texas Police Chiefs Association Law Enforcement Recognition Program in 2009 and police agencies recognized by the TPCA must undergo an onsite inspection every fourth year.
Chief Berezin explained that: “This voluntary process required MCPD to conduct a critical self-review of the agency’s policies, procedures, facilities and operations. Upon completion of the internal review, an outside audit and review was requested. This final on-site review took place Nov. 16 and Nov. 17. The on-site review is conducted by trained Police Chiefs from other areas of our state. The result of this review was then sent to the Texas Police Chiefs Association’s Recognition Committee for final analysis and decision to award “Recognized” status.”
The presentation of the award will take place at a regularly scheduled City Council meeting in early 2022. The department will also be recognized at the Texas Police Chiefs Association annual conference in April.
In his report on the Police Department at the July 6, 2021 Regular City Council Meeting, Chief Berezin said, over the last year, the City saw an 11 percent decline in the property crime rate overall, with a 10 percent drop in burglary, a 12 percent decline in larceny (theft), and a 1 percent increase in motor vehicle theft. “We have such a low crime rate in Missouri City,” Chief Berezin reported to Council. “In a five-year comparison, many of our incidents [last year] are well below our five-year high. Property crimes either stayed flat or had a downward trend.”
Chief Berezin also shared that: “The Police Department works diligently to maintain a positive relationship with our community. Missouri City remains ranked as a safe city – 34th in Texas – by Alarms.org, the official site of the National Council for Home Safety and security, recognized as one of the best rating entities for crime in all jurisdictions.”
For more information on MCPD, visit: www.missouricitypolice.org.
For more updates, please watch the City website: www.missouricitytx.gov, like us on Facebook—fb/MissouriCityTX, follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat—@MissouriCityTX and Nextdoor, watch Missouri City Television (Ch. 16 on Comcast and Ch. 99 on AT&T) or download the MCTX Mobile app (available for free in Google Play and the Apple app store).