Medina Police Department Named 2026 Outstanding Agency at State Accreditation Ceremony

Lt. Brian Wagner and Chief Edward Kinney recently attended the Pathways to Excellence award presentation, an event recognizing law enforcement agencies across Ohio that have achieved accreditation. The program is administered through the Office of Criminal Justice Services under the Ohio Department of Public Safety.

This year, 14 agencies received accreditation. In addition, one agency is selected annually for the Outstanding Agency Award. The Medina Police Department was honored as the 2026 recipient of this distinction.

This recognition reflects the work of the entire department—from records, dispatch, and property management to sworn personnel. It is the result of multiple on-site assessments, detailed audits, and direct conversations between the accreditation team and staff. This was not a surface-level review, but a comprehensive evaluation of how the department operates day in and day out.

Accreditation matters. Medina is one of only 24 state-accredited agencies in Ohio, placing it in a highly select group. It also strengthens the department’s eligibility for future grant funding through OCJS, which administers most law enforcement grants in the state.

More importantly, this achievement demonstrates the department’s commitment to transparency and accountability. By opening its doors to an independent, objective review, the Medina Police Department shows confidence in its operations. The process confirms not only that strong policies are in place, but that those best practices are consistently followed and applied. That level of transparency helps build trust within the community—and trust is essential in this profession.

Chief Edward Kinney said the recognition comes as no surprise.

“I’ve always known we have a special department. What we have here is something different and something worth being proud of,” Kinney said.

He also praised his staff for their contributions.

“Thank you all for the work you do every day and for earning this recognition. I also want to specifically thank Lt. Marcum for leading our accreditation efforts. He did an outstanding job as Accreditation Manager and handled the process with professionalism.”

This achievement marks a significant milestone for the Medina Police Department and reflects positively on the city of Medina as a place to work and live.