The Springdale Police Department has been continuously accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) since 1999.
Accreditation Process: The process involves a comprehensive self-assessment by the agency, followed by an on-site assessment by trained assessors from CALEA. If the agency demonstrates adherence to the standards, a formal hearing is conducted by CALEA Commissioners and granted accreditation. The agency must then maintain compliance through annual reviews. To learn more about the Gold Standard in Public Safety, click here.
Benefits of Accreditation:
- Professionalism: Accreditation demonstrates a commitment to professionalism and the highest standards of law enforcement practice.
- Public Trust: Accreditation can enhance public trust and confidence in the agency's operations.
- Accountability: Accreditation requires agencies to have clear policies and procedures, leading to increased accountability.
- Continuous Improvement: The accreditation process involves annual reviews and updates, allowing agencies to continually improve policies to mirror best practices.
Accreditation Public Comment Portal: Recently, the Commission added a law enforcement standard that requires agencies to maintain a public access portal that allows for comment on the performance of the agency. It is an opportunity for public comments, commendations, and other feedback regarding the agency's quality of service or other information relative to the agency's accreditation process and status. Anyone interested in providing information to the Commission, please use the following link: CALEA Feedback