The James V. Cotter Award is for Chief Executive Officers who have successfully brought three or more new agencies into CALEA Accredited status. 

Jim Cotter, who came to CALEA in 1980 as the first Executive Director, is credited with having the foresight and diplomatic skills to form the coalitions that developed the standards, bylaws, and procedures that evolved into the current Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc.

CALEA congratulates and appreciates award recipients for their hard work and dedication to professionalism in law enforcement.

COTTER AWARD SUBMISSION FORM

2006 recipients of the James V. Cotter Award:
Chief R. Gil Kerlikowske successfully brought the following agencies into law enforcement accreditation: Seattle (WA) Police Department; Ft. Pierce (FL) Police Department; and Port St. Luce (FL) Police Department.

Chief Michael L. Strope successfully brought the following agencies into law enforcement accreditation: Bryan (TX) Police Department; College Station (TX) Police Department; and Peoria (AZ) Police Department.

2005 recipient of the James V. Cotter Award:
Retired Chief of Police Gary Leonard successfully brought the following agencies into law enforcement accreditation: Grand Junction (CO) Police Department in November 1989; Sandy City (UT) Police Department in November 1993; and West Sacramento (CA) Police Department in November 2002.

2004 recipient of the James V. Cotter Award:
Chief Donald L. Carey, Melbourne (FL) Police Department, who brought the following agencies into CALEA Law Enforcement Accreditation: Blacksburg (VA) Police Department (1993); Independence (MO) Police Department (1996); and the Omaha (NE) Police Department (2001).