Accreditation Works
Case Number 66
The Dubuque (IA) Police Department received its initial Law Enforcement Accreditation Award in July 1993; and over the past 14 years it has benefited from the policies and procedures we have in place to be in compliance with CALEA Standards. Accreditation is an integrated aspect of our day-to-day operations. In 2006, we found out how the CALEA Accreditation Process could assist the Dubuque Police Department in overcoming some unique challenges.
That year an unusually
large number of personnel retired, including much of the senior management team.
Up to that point, the Dubuque Police Department had enjoyed a very stable and
experienced rank and file workforce for decades. The department entered into a
major transition period as nineteen promotions were filled and fourteen new
officers were hired during a single year. For a department of 100 personnel,
this created a considerable
impact.
Most of the promotions filled vacancies created by the retirement of these very experienced officers and four additional promoted positions were created as the department expanded its Community Policing Unit. This volume of transformation was unprecedented in the history of the department, especially during such a brief period, and presented challenges not previously experienced, as new division commanders were selected, and other vital positions were filled with newly-promoted personnel. The CALEA Standards served the Dubuque Police Department well because sound promotional, selection, and training processes were firmly established and adhered to.
Even though the level of transition was unprecedented, it occurred smoothly as the newly promoted and recently hired personnel quickly fit into their new roles and moved the department forward. The clear and easily understood policies and procedures, as well as the established training processes developed by the department through compliance with CALEA Standards, clearly enhanced the Dubuque Police Department’s ability to quickly and efficiently adapt in a very short period of time without interruption or decline in the extremely professional level of service provided to the community.
Included in the newly-filled positions was that of accreditation manager. The exceptional training offered by CALEA at the November 2006 Conference quickly and thoroughly prepared me to successfully press forward at a critical juncture in the reaccreditation process and promptly develop the experience and expertise needed to perform well. Additionally, three experienced, well-trained former accreditation managers, who serve in senior and middle management positions, were able to mentor and assist me in the department’s transition from the fourth to the fifth edition of the Standards for Law Enforcement Agencies in preparation for our successful April 2007 on-site assessment.
During our Commission Review at the CALEA Conference in Montréal, Quebec, Chief of Police Kim Wadding was quick to credit how application of the CALEA Standards and participation in the accreditation process had not only greatly enhanced the professionalism and day-to-day operations of the Dubuque Police Department, but it also prepared the department to confront and persevere through this unprecedented period of transition.
CPL Steve Eastvedt, Accreditation Manager
Dubuque (IA) Police Department
