The Americus Police Department recently was awarded national
accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforce-
ment Agencies (CALEA). This is a distinction that is held by less than
4 percent of law enforcement agencies in Georgia. During the 118th
CALEA Conference in Covington, Ky., Police Chief Mark Scott and
Accreditation Manager Detective Sergeant Eric English received the
official certificate.
There are 46 law enforcement agencies in Georgia that have
achieved CALEA Law Enforcement Accreditation. (There are 1,181
total law enforcement agencies in the state.) More than 1,100 agen-
cies internationally are accredited by CALEA programs. CALEA was
created in 1979, and the organization’s accreditation program seals
are awarded to public safety agencies that have demonstrated com-
pliance with its standards.
The Commission was created through the combined efforts of four
major law enforcement organizations: the International Association
of Chiefs of Police, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement
Executives, National Sheriffs’ Association, and the Police Executive
Research Forum.
“This award of accreditation does not come easy,” CALEA President
Richard Myers, chief of police for the University of Alabama at
Birmingham Police Department, said. “Agencies must go through a
rigorous review and evaluation of their organization and then imple-
ment the necessary policy and procedure changes. The process
does not stop at that point. By voluntarily choosing to seek CALEA
accreditation, the agency commits to an ongoing review of adher-
ence to CALEA’s standards. Each community with CALEA-accredited
agencies should feel confident that their public safety organization is
going above and beyond and operating under the highest standards
in public safety.”
Scott said the accreditation is a sign that the Americus force adheres
to strict policy and best practices.
“CALEA accreditation validates to the community that our department
is following national standards and best practices,” the APD chief
said. “It supports our commitment to the community in providing the
highest quality police services.”
English, who led the CALEA certification initiative, said the Americus
www.gachiefs.com • Page 34 • 1st Quarter Newsletter