by William P. Kiley, Member, IAPE Board of Directors
Your I.A.P.E. Board of Directors has spent a significant amount of time researching the implementation of a new program that will result in many of our members of our organization achieving a certification as a "Certified Property and Evidence Specialist" or C.P.E.S. Within the next few months you will be receiving information regarding the exact procedure to apply for the C.P.E.S.; however, the Board felt that the time has come to provide you with a brief overview of this new and exciting development within I.A.P.E. Why Certification? You are familiar with traditional certification programs that are found in many professions, such as accounting, medicine, and education. Why is it that these professions, and others, have implemented certification programs and procedures? Quite simply, certification is designed to demonstrate that the person who has been awarded a certification has demonstrated professional competency through a process of voluntary certification. Certification is intended to assist employers, potential employers, and the general public in identifying individuals who are skilled in a particular area. Certification programs are usually administered by professional societies and require applicants to meet identified criteria that include knowledge of skills testing. During the past decade there has been an incredible growth in specialization within all professions, including the criminal justice profession. Many of these law enforcement specializations, e.g. fingerprint/Identification technicians, have created professional societies which have initiated certification programs for people working in their field. Certification benefits the individual who is certified, the employer of that individual, the judicial system, and the general public who are serviced by the department and/or agency that employs the certified professional. For employers, the process of certification helps to insure that the employee is knowledgeable in their area of expertise, has spent time working in the specialized area, has earned some educational credentials in their field, and participates in professional activities within that specialized field. W. I. I. - F. M. Do you remember that old favorite radio station "W. I. I. - F. M.," which is actually an acronym for "What's In It For Me?" So what's in it for you to become a C.P.E.S.? Why should you consider becoming a C.P.E.S.? As a Certified Property and Evidence Specialist you will demonstrate and document your professional competency. You will be recognized among your peers in the Property and Evidence field as a person who possesses the knowledge and skills to be considered a specialist in your field. Current and future employers will immediately know that your qualifications have been certified by the world's leading professional organization for Property and Evidence. Your C.P.E.S. is another resume' item which may be very valuable should you have to testify in a criminal and/or civil proceeding. Additionally, C.P.E.S. certification may well be used as leverage in contract negotiations for salary, educational reimbursement, and consideration for position upgrade or promotion, etc. For many of us, the greatest benefit of receiving a professional certification is the self-satisfaction of knowing that we've achieved this status and recognition within our professional field. How do I become a C.P.E.S. ? Specific requirements and details to apply for the C.P.E.S. will be published in the next issue of The Evidence Log; however, the I.A.P.E. Board has determined that C.P.E.S. certification will be contingent upon several criteria:
Copyright © 2003 International Association for Property and Evidence, Inc. Reprinted from the Evidence Log, Volume 2003, Number 1, Page 12 |
