**OPELIKA** – On Tuesday, the Opelika Council held a special meeting at the Opelika Municipal Court. The meeting began with an opening prayer, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, which was led by Boy Scout Troop 11.
During the meeting, Opelika Mayor Eddie Smith and Council President George Allen recognized Police Chief Johnathan Clifton, whose department was recently named one of the first 15 law enforcement agencies in the state to earn accreditation from the Alabama Association of Chiefs of Police (AACOP). Ashland Police Chief Joseph Stanford presented Chief Clifton and the Opelika Police Department with a plaque to commemorate this achievement.
“Tonight, we are honored to recognize Opelika as one of the first departments to reach this standard of accreditation. It is my great privilege, as a committee member of the Association Accreditation Program, to present Opelika Police Chief Johnathan Clifton with this certificate of accreditation. This police department has demonstrated its commitment to excellence by adhering to progressive standards that ensure police services are delivered within the community with the highest level of professionalism and integrity. This reflects the best professional practices in police management, administration, operations, and support services. Therefore, we hereby recognize this agency as accredited for a period of five years, upon the recommendation of the Alabama Law Enforcement Accreditation Committee,” said Stanford.
After receiving the accreditation certificate, Chief Clifton thanked the council for their support and leadership throughout the city.
