posted May 20, 2008
I recently noted that during the current political campaign a debate has developed on the virtues of the accreditation process for a law enforcement agency. Whether or not the Hamilton County Sheriff's Department someday seeks to become an accredited agency is an issue best debated by those people who are seeking to become sheriff, however, it is important that the public know that being an accredited agency has benefited the Chattanooga Police Department and ultimately this city in many ways.
Eight years ago Police Chief J.L. Dotson was instrumental in leading the Chattanooga Police Department into becoming an accredited agency. Becoming an accredited agency came only after months of hard work by all CPD employees in the areas of policy review and development, adoption of training standards, adoption of personnel standards and implementing administrative review systems. CPD received its initial accreditation award and has since successfully gone through the re-accreditation inspections on two occasions.
By being accredited, CPD is recognized for adopting the "best practices" of all law enforcement agencies across the country in the areas of policy and procedure development, training, evidence collection and preservation, and administrative management systems. The accreditation process forces agencies to be forward thinking by establishing goals and objectives for the agency and all divisions that make up the agency. These goals and objectives serve as a core business plan for the future direction of the agency which greatly aids strategic planning and budget preparation. This vetting process allows an administrator to prioritize the development and funding of needed future programs or initiatives with a greater chance of operating within lean budget restrictions.
By adopting and adhering to the accreditation standards, a law enforcement agency is in a better position to reduce its liability exposure because it has developed and trained to policies that are made up of the best practices of all law enforcement. The accreditation process requires an agency to develop a management system that documents that all employees have received this continuous training.
The accreditation process forces an agency to be consistent and professional in all operations. The accreditation process improves the accountability of the agency by forcing the agency to develop and implement management control systems that ensure compliance of duties by employees.
While there are some costs and fees related to the CALEA accreditation process, in my opinion, it is money well invested that has the outcome of continuously improving a law enforcement agency.
Steve Parks
Chattanooga
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