CALEA Law Enforcement Accreditation

The Police Department began the process of National Accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) in September of 2009. CALEA provides credentialing services for law enforcement agencies, public safety communications agencies, and public safety training academies.

The purpose of CALEA's Accreditation Program is to improve the delivery of public safety services. This will be done 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. This provides for:

• Greater accountability within the department
• Reduced risk and liability exposure
• Stronger defense against civil lawsuits
• Staunch support from government officials
• Increased community advocacy

The accreditation process is a management model and a blueprint for self-improvement, which strengthens accountability within the agency and to the community it serves. The Police Department received accreditation in March 2013.

State Accreditation

The Parker Police Department is also state accredited through the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police. The standards for this accreditation usually go hand in hand with the CALEA standards. In order to maintain this status, Parker Police will undergo a regular review process to ensure the department appropriately reflects new techniques, changes to laws, and procedures.

CALEA Communications Accreditation

In March 2015, the Department was awarded accreditation for the Communications Division. The CALEA Public Safety Communication Accreditation Program provides the Communications Division with a process to systematically review and assess their operations and procedures. This process will accomplish:

• A well-thought-out uniform set of written directives
• A preparedness program in place so the Communications Division will be ready to address natural or man-made unusual occurrences
• Improve on the relationship with the community and other agencies it services
• Strengthen the Police Department's accountability, both within the agency and the community

Property & Evidence Room Accreditation

The Property and Evidence Section achieved accreditation through the International Association for Property and Evidence (IAPE) on March 1, 2014. This is a brand new program offered, resulting in the Parker Police Department becoming one of the first agencies to receive the accreditation. The IAPE accreditation is a review of the section's standards, documentation, procedures, and actions as they relate to the industry's best practices.

For more information on this process, please contact the Accreditation Manager at 303.805.6590 or email us.