Accreditation Process

Accreditation Helps Improve Agencies
The CALEA accreditation process is a proven modern management model. Once implemented, it presents the Chief Executive Officer (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.

Professional Standards
This accreditation program provides law enforcement agencies an opportunity to voluntarily demonstrate that they meet an established set of professional standards which:

  • Require an agency to develop a comprehensive, well thought out, uniform set of written directives. This is one of the most successful methods for reaching administrative and operational goals, while also providing direction to personnel.
  • Provide the necessary reports and analyses a CEO needs to make fact-based, informed management decisions.
  • Require a preparedness program be put in place so an agency is ready to address natural or man-made critical incidents.
  • Are a means for developing or improving upon an agency's relationship with the community.
  • Strengthen an agency's accountability, both within the agency and the community, through a continuum of standards that clearly define authority, performance, and responsibilities.
  • Can limit an agency's liability and risk exposure because it demonstrates that internationally recognized standards for law enforcement have been met, as verified by a team of independent outside CALEA-trained assessors.
  • Facilitate an agency's pursuit of professional excellence.