CALEA® is dedicated to the improvement of public safety and law enforcement agencies and recognizes excellence through a voluntary accreditation program.

Message from the Chair
 Jim O'Dell
The Commission authorized the creation of the 2003-2004 Standards Review and Interpretation Committee Focus Group at the July 2003 Conference in Detroit, Michigan, and it has since held its first meeting in conjunction with the Colorado Springs, Colorado Conference in November 2003. The Focus Group’s purpose is two-fold: to undertake a review of all existing law enforcement standards in terms of clarity and current relevance; and, to review the accreditation process and improve upon it wherever necessary. more

A Team Approach to Accreditation
The Elgin (IL) Police Department was one of five pilot sites selected in 1980 to test national law enforcement standards. The department had reviewed its policies and procedures on several occasions and started the process of self-assessment, but never made it to the point of having an on-site assessment. Given the department’s past history, something would have to change in order for the department to successfully achieve accreditation. more

Exemplary Project
CHANGING SHIFTS – A Work Schedule Research Project by the North Carolina State Highway Patrol
Shift schedules have long been a topic of discussion and research by management professionals, and health related impairments associated with shift-work have been reported in numerous publications. The findings become significant in the case of law enforcement agencies because of the need to provide services and coverage at all times. more

Five New Commissioners Appointed to CALEA Board 
Last fall, CALEA Chairperson James O’Dell met with representatives from CALEA’s four founding organizations and named five new Commissioners. Each brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to their appointment, having distinguished themselves as respected leaders in their various professions. Commissioners are appointed for three-year, renewable terms. more

Bloodhound Tracking Team
Aiken (SC) Department of Public Safety
In the early 1980’s, the Aiken, South Carolina Department of Public Safety found itself frequently requesting assistance from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) bloodhound tracking team to help track suspected criminals and lost persons. Consequently, in 1985 the department sent one of its officers, Michael E. Hunt, to SLED headquarters in Columbia to learn the techniques necessary to breed, train, and work bloodhounds in live tracking situations.  more

CONFERENCE REVIEW

With the majestic Rocky Mountains as a backdrop and the historic Pikes Peak only a stone’s throw away, the Commission could not have selected a better venue for its Fall Conference. The meeting was held in Colorado Springs, Colorado, at the elegant and world-renowned Broadmoor Hotel and Resorts. Located at the base of the Rockies, the Broadmoor provided not only an environment of unparalleled beauty and luxury, but also offered first class meeting facilities and guest amenities.  more

Click here for a list of agencies accredited, reaccredited, and recognized in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

WELCOME TO CALEA
Between September 1, 2003 and December 31, 2003, the following agencies joined the CALEA family by signing initial contracts: more

MEASURING THE PERFORMANCE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES
Part 2 of a 2-part article appearing in the CALEA Update by Edward R. Maguire, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Administration of Justice Program, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
This is the second segment of a two-part article on measuring the performance of law enforcement agencies.  It is written for a policing audience, and draws in part on my discussions with members of CALEA’s Performance Measurement Subcommittee and those who have attended my training workshops at the last three CALEA Conferences. more

Your Commissioner-
John D. Glover
CALEA Commissioner John D. Glover hails from Miami, Florida, where he attended local public schools, graduating in 1957, with honors, and as president of his senior class. He played football and basketball, achieving all-state honors in both sports. more

Standards Changed in Two Programs
During the Colorado Springs Conference (November 2003), the Commission approved amendments to the Standards for Public Safety Communications Agencies and the Standards for Law Enforcement Agencies, 4^th Edition.  Change Notices for both manuals, with the replacement pages and filing instructions, have been printed. more

Bringing the "A-Word" to Your Agency
“We can’t afford it. It costs too much. It’s not worth the expense. We can’t get ‘buy-in’ from the rank and file…” These and many other excuses are exactly what I hear from my fellow chiefs of police when the “A- word” enters a conversation. Yes, I’m talking about Accreditation, that unmistakable and profoundly professional 13-letter word. more

Property and Evidence Standards
The importance of a well organized, efficient property and evidence function in an accredited law enforcement agency cannot be over emphasized. The failure of an agency to recognize the requirements of Chapter 84, Property and Evidence, can create a myriad of problems. more

Four Commissioners Leave the CALEA Board
The Colorado Springs Conference was the last as a CALEA Commissioner for Peggy Bilsten, Bill Miller, Tim Moore, and Pat Sullivan. Collectively, Commissioners Miller, Moore, and Sullivan have contributed 23 years of dedicated service as a CALEA Commissioner. more

Working With You
Christie joined the CALEA staff in July 2003 as a Program Manager. She brings to CALEA the experience of having worked in two different fields of accreditation: health care and law enforcement.  She began her career working for PacifiCare Health Systems in Arizona, covering three states as a Project Coordinator and ultimately a Project Manager. more