SAUGUS – The Saugus Police Department has received state certification status from the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission that recognizes exemplary law-enforcement standards.To meet the best-practice standards upheld by the state, which are necessary to achieve state certification status, the police department and Town Manager Scott Crabtree updated equipment, departmental policies and procedures, job descriptions and general rules and regulations, according to the commission.The police department consists of 61 officers, 13 dispatchers and three clerical staff.”I want to commend Chief (Domenic) DiMella and his staff for their leadership and commitment to public safety,” Crabtree said. “In addition, I want to recognize the finance committee and Town Meeting for their continued support in moving Saugus forward and specifically with budgetary support for this certification to be possible with our police department.””I am beyond proud of our team and the work it put in to meet these high standards in a way that positively reflects the professionalism of the department and its dedicated staff,” said DiMella.Independent auditors from the accreditation commission worked with the police department to improve all areas, including departmental management systems, evidence chain of custody and use of force procedures.DiMella said more than 90 percent of the certification standards were already previously met by the police department.The certification will be valid for three years, during which time the police department will be monitored to make sure all aspects remain in compliance with certification standards.”This certification is an important step in giving our residents continued confidence in the police department’s commitment to meeting best practices in its operations and services provided to the community every day,” said Crabtree.”The town of Saugus can feel confident that its law enforcement professionals are committed to using the most current national standards to meet the public safety needs in the community,” said DiMella.Within the next year, the Saugus Police Department hopes to work towards meeting the standards of state accreditation, the next level of excellence. To achieve that, the department would need to make some capital and physical plant improvements.