BETHEL POLICE DEPARTMENT
CALEA ACCREDITATION NEWS RELEASE
Chief Jeffrey Finch is pleased to announce that the Bethel Police Department has successfully completed a multi--year process designed to attain internationally acknowledged law enforcement recognition by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA®). The Bethel Police Department was officially recognized on November 17, 2007 at CALEA's Fall Conference in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
CALEA was established as a private, non-profit accrediting authority in 1979 by the four major law enforcement executive associations: International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP); National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE); National Sheriffs' Association (NSA); and Police Executive Research Forum (PERF). 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 and, second, to establish and administer a series of credentialing 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/Recognition Process, itself, 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/Recognition. 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 their comments and observations
Some of the benefits that law enforcement agencies receive as a result of their participation in the CALEA Accreditation/Recognition Process include:
·
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/Recognition Process has proven to be of great benefit to both the agency and the community. It requires that the agency conform to procedures that 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/Recognition 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, proven itself to be an effective, modern management model.
For more information, contact Lt. Kevin Kennedy at (203) 744-7900 Ext. 103.