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Accreditation

Accreditation

Accreditation

COMMISSION ON ACCREDITATION FOR
LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, INC. (CALEA)

Accreditation Public Comment Portal
The Addison Police Department is an accredited law enforcement agency through CALEA® (the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies). Our department has voluntarily committed to this independent review process. The accreditation process is designed to ensure that a law enforcement agency is adhering to the most contemporary and up-to-date best practices with regard to policy and procedures.

The purpose of this public portal is to receive comments regarding an agency's compliance with CALEA standards, engagement in the service community, delivery of public safety services, and overall candidacy for accredited status. These comments can be in the form of commendations or concerns. The overall intent of the accreditation process is to provide the participating agency with information to support continuous improvement, as well as foster the pursuit of professional excellence.

Please click here to access the public comment portal for the Addison Police Department.

The Commission
CALEA 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, primarily 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.

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; and
  • 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.

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.

  • Facilitates an agency's pursuit of professional excellence.

In August 2021, the Addison Police Department proudly announced its successful reaccreditation of the Department. The Addison Police Department received the highest honor, "Accreditation with Excellence," from the Commission based on the assessment of their Department.  They are among only a small portion of agencies internationally to receive this prestigious award and the 5th agency in the State of Illinois.  The Department has been accredited with CALEA since 2000.

The Addison Police Department continues to be in the top 4% of law enforcement agencies in the nation to be accredited with excellence. Over 18,500 agencies in the United States are eligible to participate in the voluntary accreditation process to demonstrate meeting established professional standards. This effort was accomplished through a total team effort of the agency with the support of the Mayor, Village Manager and the Village Board of Trustees.