Did You Know...?

When CALEA comes across an interesting report, fact or statistical insight related to our credentialing programs or process, we like to share it:

May 2012
Two New Reports Relating to Policing Are Available:

The Police Foundation has published a new study, The Shift Length Experiment: What We Know About 8-, 10-, and 12-Hour Shifts in Policing. The report is available online at www.policefoundation.org/shiftexperiment/ and in hardcopy.

This new report presents the results of the first known comprehensive randomized experiment of compressed workweek schedules in law enforcement. Supported by the National Institute of Justice, the Police Foundation study was designed to test the impacts of three shift lengths (8-, 10-, and 12-hour) on performance, health, safety, quality of life, sleep, fatigue, alertness, off-duty employment, and overtime among police. The study found some distinct advantages of 10-hour shifts and some disadvantages associated with 12-hour shifts that are concerning.

Also available in hardcopy from the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) is a new report in their Critical Issues in Policing Series, “How Are Innovations in Technology Transforming Policing?” This is based on a PERF Survey to measure the extent to which agencies are using technologies like automated license plate readers, gunshot detection systems, social media, and various types of video cameras.

March 2012

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, July 2011 Bulletin, Census of State and Local Law Enforcement Agencies, 2008:

From 2004-2008, there was a net increase of 33,343 full-time sworn officers employed by state and local law enforcement agencies, reversing a pattern of declining growth observed from 2000-2004.
Total number of state and local law enforcement agencies: 17,985
- Total number of local police agencies: 12,501
- Total number of sheriff’s office: 3,063
- Total number of primary state agencies: 50
- Total number of special jurisdiction agencies: 1,733
- Total number of constable/marshal agencies: 638
Of the five largest state law enforcement agencies, three are CALEA Law Enforcement Accredited: California Highway Patrol, Pennsylvania State Police, and New Jersey State Police.
Of the 30 largest public college/university law enforcement agencies, by number of full-time sworn personnel, 16 are CALEA Law Enforcement Accredited or in Self-Assessment.

Reference: NCJ 233982
For a list of all publications in this series, go to http://www.bjs.gov.

February 2012

Fully one-quarter of law enforcement officers in the United States work for agencies that have chosen to acquire CALEA Accreditation.

Source: FBI’s 2010 Crime in the United States report (latest available) and CALEA’s 2012 AMS database.

In 2011, according to Forbes Magazine’s annual survey, six of the top 10 America’s Safest Cities boasted CALEA Law Enforcement Accredited police departments: Aurora, Colorado; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Henderson, Nevada; Honolulu, Hawaii; Lincoln, Nebraska, and Plano, Texas. Additionally, a seventh city in the top 10, New York, has its police department’s training bureau CALEA Training Academy Accredited.

Source: Forbes, December 15, 2011

A 2011 PhD. thesis found that CALEA Accredited agencies had:
- No increase in the mean number of citizen complaints
- 45% fewer civil lawsuits
- 44% less money spent on litigation costs
- 168% less monetary amounts in adverse judgments

Source:Examining the Relationship Between Law Enforcement Accreditation, Citizen Complaints, Civil Lawsuits, and Adverse Monetary Judgments; William T. Gaut, PhD. Dissertation, August 2011, Northcentral University, Prescott Valley, Arizona.

Client Testimonials

"The accreditation process has provided my department with the tools needed to strategically plan and successfully manage a highly professional transit police agency, as well as provided extraordinary trust and confidence among its members, community stakeholders, law enforcement and criminal justice agencies, and the MBTA.” MBTA has been CALEA Accredited since 2005.

—Former Chief Joseph C. Carter, MBTA and Past IACP President

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

—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.

—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.

—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."

—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."

—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."

—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.”

—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.”

—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."

—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."

—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.”

—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.”

—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."

—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."

—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."

—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."

—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."

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

"Within our Division, whether individually or collectively, one of our goals is to make a difference in our agency and community. When you follow the standards of CALEA., that is your playbook on how to do that. The standards are the guidepost that we follow."

—Chief Walter Distelzweg, Columbus (OH) Division of Police

"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."

—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."

—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.”

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

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