The Rangeley Board of Selectmen on Monday, Aug. 18,  approved spending $48,735 in newly awarded grants for the town’s public safety departments. The grants will cover the costs of police department accreditation as well as comprehensive cardiac and cancer screenings for police and firefighters. Police Chief Richard Caton IV applied for both grants.

A $5,000 Maine Municipal Association grant will cover the cost of the police department contracting with an outside agency to complete the Maine Law Enforcement Accreditation Program. Dirigo Safety will work with the department to assist in the review, update and development of department specific policies.

The accreditation program is a voluntary process where Maine agencies prove compliance with Maine Law Enforcement’s current best practices or standards.

“Becoming accredited will show that the Rangeley Police Department is meeting and maintaining the highest standards of professional excellence and accountability,” Caton wrote in the grant application form to the town.

Successful completion of the process will also reduce the town’s liability cost, he said.

The department has two years to become accredited, however the goal is to complete the Maine Law Enforcement Accreditation Program  assessment by Dec. 31, Caton said.

A state-funded public safety health and wellness grant totaling $43,242 will allow for comprehensive diagnostic cardiac and cancer screenings for the department’s four full-time police officers and seven Rangeley Fire Rescue firefighters. The grant will also cover mental health counseling, Caton said.

Neither of the grants requires a matching funds from the town.