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Subjects › Public Safety › Police and law Enforcement › Organization and Management › Law Enforcement Accreditation
Updated 03/2012

Law Enforcement Accreditation

Contents

Introduction to Accreditation Standards

What is Accreditation?

Accreditation is a way of helping law enforcement agencies evaluate and improve their overall performance. The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) was established in 1979 to accomplish this goal by maintaining a body of standards, developed by public safety practitioners, covering up-to-date public safety initiatives; establishing and administering an accreditation process. In addition to the CALEA accreditation program the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC) administers a program at the state level exclusively for Washington law enforcement agencies. By agreement the WASPC program standards complement CALEA and do not conflict.

Accreditation will require your law enforcement agency to:

  • Develop written policy directives
  • Make fact based management decisions
  • Develop an emergency preparedness plan for natural and manmade emergencies
    What accreditation may do for your agency:
  • Improve relations with your community
  • Strengthen accountability
  • Reduce risk and liability exposure
  • Facilitate the pursuit of professional excellence

Washington's Program

The Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC) Accreditation Program is intended to provide law enforcement agencies of this state an avenue for demonstrating that they meet commonly accepted standards for efficient and effective operation. The program is voluntary and is open to all general law enforcement agencies having primary responsibility for the enforcement of Washington criminal and traffic laws. For more information view WASPC's Accreditation information or contact WASPC’s Director of Professional Services.

A roster of Washington WASPC and CALEA accredited agencies is posted on the WASPC Accreditation web page.

Additional Resources