Law enforcement accreditation was developed to enhance the profession and improve the delivery of police services.
On July 31, the Commission on Law Enforcement Accreditation (CALEA) awarded the Pinecrest Police Department the Gold Standard Certificate for Advanced Accreditation. This means that Department employees demonstrated their commitment to law enforcement excellence during an on-site review by CALEAAssessors.
The Department has once again distinguished itself by complying with a myriad of standards deemed essential to health and safety, and the protection of the life and rights of citizens. The full commission concluded that employees of the police department demonstrated the best professional practices in the performance of their duties throughout a three-year reaccreditation period.
The 2013 Gold Standard re-accreditation marks the fourth time that CALEA granted accreditation status to Pinecrest. Initial accreditation of the department occurred in 2004, the first re-accreditation came in 2007; and when re-accreditation took place in 2010, the commission designated the Pinecrest PD a Flagship Agency.
Pinecrest’s advanced law enforcement accreditation provides objective evidence of the police department’s commitment to excellence in leadership, resource management and service-delivery, while instilling confidence in the agency’s ability to operate efficiently and meet community needs.
Here is what the Commission on Law Enforcement has to say about the process:
• CALEA Accreditation requires 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.
• CALEA Accreditation standards provide the necessary reports and analyses a CEO needs to make fact-based, informed management decisions.
• CALEA Accreditation requires a preparedness program be put in place, so an agency is ready to address natural or manmade unusual occurrences.
• CALEA Accreditation is a means for developing or improving upon an agency’s relationship with the community.
• CALEA Accreditation strengthens an agency’s accountability, both within the agency and the community, through a continuum of standards that clearly define authority, performance, and responsibilities.
• Being CALEA Accredited 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.
• CALEA Accreditation facilitates an agency’s pursuit of professional excellence.
The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies was created in 1979 as a credentialing authority through the joint efforts of law enforcement’s major executive associations: International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA) and the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF).
The purpose of CALEA’s Accreditation Programs is to improve the delivery of public safety services, by maintaining a body of standards developed by public safety practitioners covering a wide range of up-to-date public safety initiatives, establishing and administering an accreditation process, and recognizing professional excellence. Specifically, CALEA’s goals are to:
• Strengthen crime prevention and control capabilities.
• Formalize essential management procedures.
• Establish fair and nondiscriminatory personnel practices.
• Improve service delivery.
• Solidify interagency cooperation and coordination.
• Increase community and staff confidence in the agency.
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.
The Pinecrest Police Department is preparing for an on-site assessment by the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation. We fully anticipate reaccreditation by this second accrediting organization.
To learn more about the accreditation process visit www.calea.org/content/lawenforcement-program-process or www.flaccreditation.org/Benefits
