After working for three years on accreditation for the Cleveland Police Department, Chief Wes Snyder Jr. announced the successful completion of the process.

CPD was officially recognized on July 21, by David L. Moore and Louis Dekmar, at CALEA’s Summer conference held in Scottsdale, Ariz.

The accreditation is designed to maintain internationally acknowledged law enforcement recognition by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc.

CALEA was established as a private, nonprofit accrediting authority in 1979 by the four major law enforcement executive associations: International Association of Chiefs of Police; National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives; National Sheriffs' Association and Police Executive Research Forum.

The Commission has 21 members; 11 of whom are law enforcement practitioners, with the remaining 10 from the public and private sectors.

CALEA’s purpose and mission is two-fold. First, to establish a body of standards designed to increase agency effectiveness and efficiency in the delivery of public safety services.

Second, to establish and administer a series of credential programs through which public safety agencies can demonstrate voluntarily that they meet an established set of internationally recognized professional standards leading to excellence in management and service delivery.

The CALEA Accreditation process is a proven modern management model.

Once implemented, it presents an agency’s Chief Executive Officer, 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 standards upon which CALEA’s Programs are based reflect the current thinking and experience of public safety practitioners and researchers and are considered benchmarks for today's public safety agencies.

Agencies receive their awards after participating in a process that involves a commitment of personnel and other resources. The process normally takes approximately 36 months for law enforcement agencies seeking CALEA Accreditation.

During that period, all aspects of the agency’s policies, procedures, management, operations and support services are examined in detail.

In addition, each agency conducts a detailed self-assessment and participates in an on-site review by a team of outside CALEA Assessors, composed of experienced public safety practitioners.

The local community is also notified of the process and given an opportunity to submit comments and observations

Some of the benefits law enforcement agencies receive as a result of their participation in the CALEA Accreditation Process include:

n Independent confirmation that policies comply with professionally developed standards.

- Promote fair recruitment, selection and promotion processes.

- Reduced exposure to civil law suits and costly settlements.

- Enhanced understanding of agency policies and procedures.

- Greater administrative and operational effectiveness.

- Greater public confidence in the agency and its personnel.

The CALEA Accreditation Process has proven to be of great benefit to both the agency and the community. It requires the agency conform to procedures which are consistent with internationally recognized professional standards.

This is the foundation for competent, responsible, and ethical service to the public. It also requires the agency to take a thorough, introspective look at its mission, objectives, and operation. This results in a process of evaluation that allows the agency to adjust ways of doing business in order to respond to the needs of an ever-changing society. CALEA Accreditation is a key element in any law enforcement agency’s ability to perform in the present and plan for the future. It has over and over been proven to be an effective, modern management model.