Two Risk Management Studies Support Accreditation

It has been said by some law enforcement agencies that they are not interested in achieving (or maintaining) CALEA accreditation because they “can’t afford it”. These agencies might not be factoring into the cost equation the cost-benefit ratio of CALEA accreditation and their liability risk exposure. Two recent risk management studies by state league-sponsored self-insured pooling organizations indicate that accreditation significantly reduces the risk factors associated with police operations.

In a December 2002 Project Summary, the Tennessee Municipal League (TML), Risk Management Pool of Brentwood, TN reported the results of a risk management study comparing the loss experiences of CALEA accredited law enforcement agencies with non-accredited agencies, who were insured members of TML. They compared the loss histories of 5 accredited agencies against 23 non-accredited agencies. The agencies were examined for the same eight-year period - July 1, 1994 through June 30, 2002.

The following exposure areas were examined: (1) Workers' Compensation; (2) Law Enforcement Liability; (3) Police Auto Liability; and (4) Police Auto Physical Damage. The police agencies examined were from municipalities within a population range of 10,500 and 55,500 (according to the 2000 Census), employing between 18 and 193 certified police officers. The 23 non-accredited agencies employed an average of 45 police officers serving an average population of 19,493 citizens, or one (1) police officer for every 433 people. The 5 accredited agencies employed an average of 114 officers serving an average population of 35,762 citizens, or one (1) police officer for every 313 people. The analysis showed the following results:

In Workers' Compensation coverage, the 23 non-accredited agencies experienced a rate of 27.21 claims per 100 insured officers, while the 5 accredited agencies experienced a rate of 22.56 claims per 100 officers, or 17.1% less than the non-accredited agencies. The annual loss rate incurred by the non-accredited agencies was $89,389 per 100 officers, while the accredited agencies experienced losses of $72,565 per 100 officers, or 18.8% less than the non-accredited agencies.
In Law Enforcement Liability coverage, the non-accredited agencies experienced a rate of 2.231 claims per 100 insured officers, while the accredited agencies experienced a rate of 1.093 claims per 100 officers, or 51.0% less than the non-accredited agencies. The annual law enforcement liability loss rate incurred by the non-accredited agencies was $34,205 per 100 insured officers, while the accredited agencies experienced losses of $30,434 per 100 officers, or 11.0% less than the non-accredited agencies.
In Police Auto Liability coverage, the non-accredited agencies experienced a rate of 4.486 claims per 100 insured officers, while the accredited agencies experienced a rate of 3.081 claims per 100 officers, or 31.3% less than the non-accredited agencies. The annual police auto liability loss rate incurred by the non-accredited agencies was $13,799 per 100 officers, while the accredited agencies experienced losses of $9,462 per 100 officers, or 31.4% less than the non-accredited agencies.
In Police Auto Physical Damage coverage, the non-accredited agencies experienced a rate of 3.189 claims per 100 insured officers, while the accredited agencies experienced a rate of 1.267 claims per 100 officers, or 60.3% less than the non-accredited agencies. The annual police auto physical damage loss rate incurred by the non-accredited agencies was $5,193 per 100 officers, while the accredited agencies experienced losses of $2,164 per 100 officers, or 58.3% less than the non-accredited agencies.

As a result of this analysis, the TML Risk Management Pool concluded that encouraging police agencies to seek standardized practices and policies through accreditation was a cost-effective investment of time and resources. All eight rate comparisons over the eight-year study period clearly showed that the accredited agencies performed 11.0% to 60.3% better than the non-accredited agencies.

The TML summary also points out the 11% savings in Law Enforcement Liability severity “compares favorably with the annual incentive provided by the TML Pool to its accredited police agencies of $100 per insured officer, or a 13.5% reduction off of the annual Law Enforcement Liability base rate charged per certified police officer.” The summary further states that “accreditation provides the Pool membership with a sound financial benefit, and provides the individual departments themselves with fewer injuries, fewer damaged vehicles being repaired, and less financial resources being spent in legal defense costs.” In addition to the annual incentive provided by the TML Pool, a one-time incentive is provided when the agency becomes accredited in an amount equal to 25% of the agency’s initial accreditation fee. “For professional, defensible police work, the cost of accreditation is money well spent.”

The Colorado Interlocal Risk Sharing Agency (CIRSA) conducted the second study. It compares both Property/Casualty and Workers’ Compensation claims of 22 state and CALEA accredited member Police Departments to the claims of 22 non-accredited member Police Departments for calendar years 1999 through 2001. Non-accredited members were matched as closely as possible to accredited members based on geographic region, number of full time officers, and municipal population. (Broken windshield and weather related Property/Casualty claims were not included due to their non-preventable nature). All the claims were valued as of September 2002.

Based on the data used, the following results were reported:

The accredited police departments had 8.3% fewer Property/Casualty claims per fulltime police officer than the non-accredited police departments during the time period chosen.
The accredited police departments had 7.5% fewer Workers’ Compensation claims per fulltime, police officer than the non-accredited police departments during the time period chosen.
The accredited police departments per officer incurred costs for Property/Casualty claims were 52.2% lower than the non-accredited police departments.

These two comparative statistical reviews report a positive correlation between CALEA accreditation and loss reduction, and further provides quantitative evidence that CALEA accreditation significantly impacts a law enforcement agency’s ability to prevent and reduce loss in the area of professional liability. When viewed in combination with the additional, beneficial aspects of:

enables law enforcement agencies to more effectively defend themselves against lawsuits and citizen complaints;
gives the chief executive officer a proven management system of written directives, sound training, and clearly-defined lines of authority that support decision-making and resource allocation;
provides an agency with an organizational change device and the framework for self-audit; and
gives an agency a preparedness plan and verification of excellence,

CALEA Accreditation appears to be a credentialing program they can’t afford “NOT” to achieve!

Client Testimonials

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

—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.

—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."

—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.”

—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

"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

"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."

—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."

—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."

—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.

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

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Two Risk Management Studies Support Accreditation

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