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AccreditationWorks!

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CALEA provides credentialing services for law enforcement agencies, public safety communications agencies, and public safety training academies. The CALEA Accreditation Process is a proven modern management model; once implemented, it presents the CEO, on a continuing basis, with a blueprint that promotes the efficient use of resources and improves service delivery—regardless of the size, geographic location, or functional responsibilities of the agency.

  • Agencies can realize the following rewards of CALEA Accreditation:
  • Comprehensive, well thought-out written directives,
  • Reports and analyses to make informed management decisions,
  • Preparedness Program in place,
  • Improved relationship with the community,
  • Strengthen agency’s accountability,
  • Limit liability and risk exposure, and
  • Assists in agency’s pursuit of excellence.

AccreditationWorks! is a compilation of articles that appear regularly in the CALEA® Update magazine, which is published three times a year. These accounts are first-hand testimonies of how CALEA Accreditation has benefited these agencies and their communities. The articles provide insight into the impact of accreditation and offer examples that may be useful to anyone interested in the accreditation process or wants to know, “What will Accreditation do for me?”

CALEA thanks the agencies that have shared their experiences as a way to assist others in advancing public safety professionalism and CALEA Accreditation.

Table of Contents

Case Number Title
Case Number 2 Policies Assist Murder Conviction
Case Number 3 Liability Cost Reduced
Case Number 4 Policies Assist Professionalism
Case Number 5 Peace of Mind, Illinois State Police
Case Number 6 Information Policies Under Media Review
Case Number 7 Judgment for Agency
Case Number 8 Citizens Complaints and Liability Costs Reduced
Case Number 10 Community Relations Improved
Case Number 11 Court Success and Lower Crime
Case Number 12 Public Survey Supports Accreditation
Case Number 13 Cure For Dysfunctional Law Enforcement Agency
Case Number 14 Blueprint for Excellence
Case Number 15 Disciplinary Action Upheld
Case Number 16 Agency Report Card
Case Number 17 Road Map to Technology Improvement
Case Number 18 Risk Management
Case Number 19 Gender Based Discrimination Case Loses
Case Number 20 Civil Rights Problem Averted
Case Number 21 CALEA Reports Meet Performance Budget Requirements
Case Number 22 Liability Reduction
Case Number 23 Mayor's Perspective
Case Number 24 Accreditation Efforts Assist Summary Judgment
Case Number 25 Policy and Procedure Updated
Case Number 27 CALEA Survey Identifies Need
Case Number 28 Slidell Police Accreditation Keeps the Department's Insurance Rate Low
Case Number 29 Renewed Commitment to the Public
Case Number 30 An Agency Evaluation Tool
Case Number 31 Lateral Transfer Officer Sees A Difference
Case Number 32 Accreditation an Asset to Winning Grants
Case Number 33 Department and Community Confidence Increased
Case Number 34 Strategic Planning Process
Case Number 35 $9M Refused: CALEA Wins for Agency
Case Number 36 CALEA Process Identifies “Quirk” in State Law
Case Number 37 Managers Stamp of Approval
Case Number 38 City Economic Development Enhanced
Case Number 40 Police Practices Review Committee Supports Accreditation
Case Number 42 Ensuring Accountability to the Community
Case Number 44 Accreditation Works for Airport Police
Case Number 45 Accreditation Basis for Favorable Summary Judgment
Case Number 46 Many Benefits of Communications Accreditation
Case Number 48 Criminal Profiling Versus Racial Profiling
Case Number 49 The Value of Training Academy Accreditation
Case Number 52 Using the Accreditation Process as an Organizational Change Device
Case Number 53 The Value of Structured Policies: $80,000 Saved
Case Number 54 Compliance with Promotion Standards Helps Agency in Court
Case Number 55 Accreditation is Training Ground for Future CEOs
Case Number 56 Training Academy Accreditation for Security Contractor
Case Number 57 Accreditation for Small Agency Has Lasting Effects
Case Number 58 Impact of 20 Years of Accreditation
Case Number 59 Compliance with Standards Produces Important Workload Assessments
Case Number 60 High-Profile Events Showcase Incident Command System
Case Number 61 Accreditation Benefits Realized in Self-Assessment
Case Number 62 Incident Command System Protocols Used in Locating Suspect
Case Number 63 Providing Building Blocks for the Future
Case Number 65 Accreditation Improves Professionalism and Changes Department Image
Case Number 66 Standards for Promotion, Selection and Training Ensure Smooth Transition
Case Number 67 Union Supported Policies on Due Process, a Byproduct of Accreditation
Case Number 68 Using Accreditation to Navigate Organizational Change
Case Number 69 Accreditation Strengthens State-Wide Training Academy
Case Number 70 Accreditation Supports Continuity of Training Academy Operations,
Case Number 71 Accreditation Pays Off in Time of Natural Disaster
Case Number 72 Standards Helped Maintain Integrity of Property and Evidence During Move
Case Number 73 Compliance with Standard Identifies Faulty Wiring Problem
Case Number 74 Compliance with “Cold Case” Standard results in Arrest
Case Number 75 Accreditation Helps Defend Agency in Civil Action
Case Number 76 Benefits of Taking CEO Position at an Accredited Agency
Case Number 77 Accreditation Benefits Override Budget Restraints
Case Number 78 New Standards Limit Eyewitness Misidentification
Case Number 79 Training Academy Accreditation Reduces Reportable Training Incidents by 35 Percent
Case Number 80 Accreditation Saves $16,000 Annually on Professional Liability Insurance
Case Number 81 Using Accreditation as a Change Agent to Address Bias Based Profiling Issues
Case Number 82 Accreditation Prepares Agency for Disaster Response
Case Number 83 Discount on Liability Premium Pays for Accreditation.
Case Number 84 Crime Prevention and Community Involvement Enhanced by CALEA Standards
Case Number 85 CALEA Accreditation Helps Agency Meet POST Training Goals and Deadlines
Case Number 86 Using Accreditation as a Management Model to Create a New Police Department
Case Number 87 CALEA Standards Support and Guide Agency Through Disaster
Case Number 88 “It's just the way we do business”
Case Number 89 Accreditation Helps Agency Modernize
Case Number 90 Accreditation Helps Renew Departmental Pride and Citizens' Trust in Agency
Case Number 91 Accreditation Helps Agency Better Manage Resources During Tough Economic Conditions
Case Number 92 Measuring the Impact of Accreditation Using the Gold Standard Assessment
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CALEA Update Magazine by Issue Number

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Client Testimonials

"The confidence in our department has increased tremendously throughout our community since becoming an accredited agency."

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—Former Chief Harry Rilling, Norwalk (CT) Police Department

“The Accreditation Process provides the best and the most credible roadmap for any law enforcement agency in pursuit of professional excellence. It will be the benchmark for policing in the twenty-first century.”   Lafourche Parish (LA) Sheriff’s Office has been CALEA Accredited since 2000.

Read More

—Sheriff Craig Webre, Lafourche Parish (LA) Sheriff’s Office, Past President - National Sheriffs’ Association

“CALEA Accreditation inspires public confidence in our agency, as well as assures that our department is up-to-date on police initiatives and administrative practices. Among the areas of particular importance addressed by CALEA, are the delivery of services to our citizens and the emphasis on inter-agency cooperation. CALEA provides a means of checks and balances that confirms the successful tactics we have in place.”  Miami PD  has been CALEA Accredited since 2003.

Read More

—Former Chief John Timoney Miami (FL) PD, Past President-Police Executive Research Forum

"The new two person on-site was fantastic. The interaction that occurred between the team and the community along with members of the agency made it easier for all to accept accreditation and to share what it meant to them. Accreditation makes it easier for the Sheriff's Office to provide better service to the citizens in our community."

Read More

—John C. Bittick, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Forsyth, Georgia

"Through improved policies and procedures, both the police department and the Communications Division were better able to  serve the community and its members.  There is a trust between the community and the members of the department because we are responsive to them and the needs of the community. Standards mean trust."

Read More

—Assistant Chief Michael Webb, Abington (PA) Police Department

"From start to finish, it's the change in process that is most obvious when working with CALEA. This change offers agencies the opportunity for improved transparency and delivery of services to the communities served. I would tell any chief that if he/she steps up to the table, the end result will be a better department for both members and citizens alike."

Read More

—Former Chief Tom Younce, North Carolina State University Police Department

“I have been with this department for more than 25 years. I have seen a vast transition and difference come about as a result of our CALEA accreditation.”

Read More

—Chief James Chavis, Kannapolis (NC) Police Department

“I would like to thank the Commission very much. Accreditation is a way of life for us. It has reduced our liability cost and made my risk managers very happy.”

Read More

—Sheriff Timothy Dunning, Douglas County (NE) Sheriff’s Office

"CALEA Accreditation gave our personnel a focus and direction with specific and measurable goals.  Self assessment is invaluable and on many occasions we found more efficient ways to discharge our duties, providing contemporary and professional law enforcement services." 

Read More

—Chief Mark Palmer, Coventry (CT) Police Department

"CALEA Accreditation has proven itself time and time again...and the respect and support generated within our community for our services have been positively impacted by the program, making us a truly professional agency."

Read More

—Sheriff Thomas Brown, Jr., Dekalb County (GA) Sheriff's Office

“Accreditation helps us make our law enforcement management systems work smoothly. It assists us with developing our employees and provides police officers with a superior foundation and enables them to provide outstanding services to the community.  I am proud of the men and women of the Avon Police Department for providing that superior level of service to our community.” 

Read More

—Chief Mark Rinaldo, Avon (CT) Police Department

“The key to CALEA Accreditation is peer review of our policies, procedures and practices.  This promotes professional excellence as we strive to be our very best.  The process results in a total team effort that contributes positively to any agency’s effectiveness and ability to solve problems and deliver services.  We have bought into this process since the early 1990’s and remain committed.  I look forward to many years as a CALEA Accredited agency.” 

Read More

—Chief Kimberley Crannis, Blacksburg (VA) Police Department

"CALEA Accreditation has prompted the Corpus Christi (TX) Police Department to closely scrutinize the policies and procedures governing the way we do business. Many policies have been updated/altered/initiated because of the influence of CALEA. Working closely with the city Legal Department and the city Human Resources Department, we are confident that we can better withstand the scrutiny of lawsuits and grievances and at the same time offer our employees a fair and consistent work environment."

Read More

—Chief Troy Riggs, Corpus Christi (TX) Police Department

"The assessors did an excellent job of providing feedback to my agency on our performance. In today’s environment with an economic downturn this is not the time to think about giving up accreditation; it is even more important to retain accreditation as the CALEA process represents our roadway to professionalism."

Read More

—Sherrif Robert Peryam, Monroe County (FL) Sheriff's Office

"Although the CALEA process is institutionalized with my agency, we learn something about our agency each time we have a CALEA assessment.  Our employees have an understanding of their duties that comes with adhering to standards over the years." 

Read More

—Chief Wren Johnson, Morehead City (NC) Police Department

"I would not send my kids to a school or a hospital that was not accredited, and I think the citizens of Columbia County deserve the professional delivery of services by my office that is embodied by the CALEA standards."

Read More

—Sheriff Clay Whittle, Columbia County (GA) Sheriff's Office

"The CALEA Campus Security Accreditation Program provides an opportunity for college and university non-sworn agencies to become more professional and respected by their administration, students, faculty, staff and surrounding law enforcement departments."

Read More

—Chief Gary Lyle , Anne Arundel (MD) Community College

"Had it not been for CALEA we would not have been as organized or able to adapt and respond to the floods.  CALEA was responsible for enabling the Munster Police Department to respond. I hope agencies realize that in difficult times CALEA can be the lifeline."

Read More

—Chief Stephen Scheckel, Munster (IN) Police Department

"First and foremost, the standards represent what are considered to be good business practices for training academies. It is not a one-time temporary process.  It is the way the agency has been and will continue to do business. A highly prized recognition of professionalism and excellence." 

Read More

—Commissioner John W. Bizzack, PhD., Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice

“With the CALEA-based blueprint in place, we now have a means to continually develop, review and adjust our efforts to meet the best practices and standards in the industry. We will continue to partner with CALEA and other accredited agencies to meet the dynamic changes of our profession and the needs of our growing community.”

Read More

—Chief Paul Willingham, University of Houston - Clear Lake (TX) Police Department

"Our department has been in the accreditation business for over twenty-six years. While it was very challenging in the beginning, it has now become a part of our daily lives. Today, 93% of our officers and employees began their career with a nationally accredited department. Meeting the standards is no longer a challenge but an invitation for new ways to improve existing processes. We consider it an honor to be a long standing member of the CALEA family."

Read More

—Chief Elaine P. Snow, Rome (GA) Police Department

"The City of Keller, Texas residents approved a 15 Year Crime Control and Prevention Sales Tax dedicated to the Keller Police Department and one of the expenditure requirements was to continue to fund the CALEA Accreditation program. The taxpayers noted the improvements in the overall management and performance in their police department since the department received the initial award in 2006."

Read More

—Chief Mark R. Hafner, Keller (TX) Police Department

"When our agency was at a strategic inflection point, we first used CALEA Recognition and then Accreditation as the tool to turn things around. Simply, we had to change, and that change had to be significant and done in a timely fashion. We used the CALEA Standards to guide us as we made changes in practice, procedures and policies."

Read More

—Chief Thomas E. Engells, Univ. of Texas Medical Branch Police Department

"Let me just briefly give you a broader municipal perspective of how we value and utilize our CALEA accredited status: CALEA Accreditation helps our risk management efforts and is an important part of our group insurance rating and, conversely, our costs. Being CALEA accredited also helps our bond rating. It is a rating we share with only 5% of cities in the United States. Moody’s loves CALEA Standards and so do our bond holders. Accreditation is an important part of our recruiting package for economic development; it makes a strong statement about our community and its values.

Read More

—Valerie Salmons, Village Administrator, Village of Bartlett, IL

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