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Message from Commission Chair Louis Dekmar
 Over the past year, CALEA® has worked diligently to enhance the services it provides to public safety professionals. These efforts have included the development of a tiered accreditation program to provide options for agencies seeking accreditation, addressing standards specifically for campus law enforcement agencies, developing accreditation programming for non-sworn campus security organizations, refocusing assessments toward outcomes to ensure process effectiveness, and restructuring the accreditation assessment process which has resulted in refunding $250,000 in fees to clients in 2010. Although these are only a sampling of CALEA's strategic initiatives, it clearly demonstrates a desire to make certain our programming provides a strong return on investment for agencies while reducing program costs. And, these efforts promote relevancy for CALEA within the public safety profession. In addition to program enhancements, CALEA has recommitted itself to remaining the "gold standard" in the field of public safety standards and accreditation. To that end, CALEA is an international credentialing body that develops its standards through subject matter experts and direction from many of the best contemporary public safety leaders. The maintenance of standards occurs on a continual basis and CALEA clients are provided standard updates throughout the year. This intense attention to standards management has dissolved the need for mass changes in standards, and CALEA clients can be sure they have the best current public safety thinking offered through standards. Most importantly, CALEA has developed a robust standards review process that encourages substantive feedback from the public safety community as standards are developed and amended. This communication component is critical to the process and the information received by CALEA is always considered by Commissioners and staff.CALEA listens. CALEA has also maintained a very positive client base during tough financial periods when other organizations have experienced appreciable declines. In fact, CALEA currently has as many public safety agencies participating in its programs as it has had at any point in its history.Trends indicate CALEA will likely experience more growth in the coming years and the new programs recently approved by the Commission will certainly impact these numbers in a positive way. Furthermore, as a not-for-profit organization CALEA will always strive to control client costs and will reduce its services fees where possible with client growth. More importantly, as greater numbers of agencies enroll in CALEA Accreditation the value of collective participation will be recognized and the entire profession will benefit, thereby advancing the mission of CALEA. To complement these efforts and trends, CALEA is also working to protect its brand and ensure the concept of accreditation is not compromised for those agencies who have invested in the process.CALEA Accredited agencies deserve the assurance that accreditation has significant value within the profession - CALEA has this responsibility. This is why professional partnerships with associations such as the IACP, PERF, NSA, NOBLE, APCO, and IADLEST are critical to the mission of CALEA. To this end, the Commission recently enacted policy that restricts CALEA assessors from serving as accreditation assessment service providers through other credentialing organizations.However, this does not impact an assessor's ability to serve on a board or committee of another credentialing body. Although this may seem unnecessarily restrictive to some, CALEA must act to ensure the concept of accreditation will always remain a mark of excellence for agencies participating in its programs and to maintain brand intergrity. CALEA owes this to its clients, partnering associations, and the broader public safety community. CALEA recognizes the importance of its role in the public safety community and will continuously work to ensure its services and programs exceed expectations. "Excellence in Public Safety" is our brand and we will use every available resource to provide confidence for agencies participating in our programs that CALEA is the Gold Standard in public safety accreditation. |
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Check Out the CALEA Online Web Store!
See special offers on Apparel, Luggage, Plaques, Cool Stuff, Gifts/Awards, Golf and Collectibles. On most store items you have the option of selecting your favorite CALEA logo (law enforcement, communications, training academy, or recognition). Visit the CALEA Store today for daily and unadvertised sales!
All proceeds from the CALEA Store benefit the CALEA Accreditation Support Fund. |
Tiered Law Enforcement Accreditation:
A Model to Support the Needs of Contemporary Agencies CALEA understands the ever-changing environment facing the law enforcement profession and also accepts the responsibility to ensure its services continue to support the needs of the public safety community. To that end, CALEA Commissioners recently endorsed a Tiered Law Enforcement Accreditation Model to become effective January 1, 2011. This new model allows agencies to choose between levels of CALEA Accreditation based on the needs of the organization and its capacities. This option is critically important to many agencies that are experiencing budget shortfalls and those agencies composed of fewer staff that desire to participate in CALEA Accreditation programming. The new model has no restrictions based on the number of personnel employed by the respective agency and agencies may shift between the levels as necessary. The two levels of CALEA Accreditation will be referred to as (1) CALEA® Law Enforcement Accreditation and (2) CALEA® Advanced Law Enforcement Accreditation. An award level of CALEA® Law Enforcement Accreditation with Excellence will be available to superlative agencies achieving the advanced level of accreditation. The first level of Law Enforcement Accreditation will be comprised of 177 standards. The standards in this program will be made up of standards specifically linked to life, health and safety issues, as well as those standards identified as essential to the effective delivery of services for contemporary law enforcement agencies. A complete list of Law Enforcement Accreditation Standards can be found HERE. Advanced Law Enforcement Accreditation will reflect the full complement of CALEA Standards for Law Enforcement Agencies, currently 464 standards. Both levels are subject to amendments as determined by the Commission's Standards Review and Interpretation Committee. Accreditation with Excellence will serve as the replacement for the former CALEA Flagship Award. This award will be determined by the Commission and will be presented during CALEA Conference banquets. The criteria for this level of accreditation are currently being considered by the Commission, but will likely include the following: - Demonstrated excellence in the development and implementation of contemporary policy and procedure.
- Demonstrated excellence in the ability to use the CALEA Accreditation process as a tool for continuous organizational improvement.
- Demonstrated excellence in the collection, review and analysis of organizational data for the purpose of public safety service improvement.
- Demonstrated advocacy for CALEA Accreditation as a strategy for enhancing the broader public safety community.
- Demonstrated excellence in addressing the intent of CALEA Standards, beyond compliance.
- Demonstrated organizational culture supportive of CALEA Accreditation.
- Accreditation assessment demonstrating standards compliance and accreditation process success.
Agencies specifically seeking to achieve CALEA Law Enforcement Accreditation with Excellence must prepare to address the criteria during the assessment process and during the Commission Review Committee meetings. Commissioners will consult following the Review Committee meetings to determine successful candidate agencies. The former CALEA Law Enforcement Recognition Program will no longer be available for agencies wishing to enroll. However, agencies currently enrolled in the program may continue in the Law Enforcement Recognition through the next award period, but must transition to Law Enforcement Accreditation thereafter. For timeline purposes the following applies to the agencies currently enrolled in CALEA Law Enforcement Recognition: - Initial Recognition assessment will be conducted until December 31, 2012.
- Re-recognition assessments will be conducted until December 31, 2013.
- Active Recognition awarded agencies may receive one more Recognition Award.
Although there will be no change in the CALEA Law Enforcement Accreditation fee structure associated with the different levels of Law Enforcement Accreditation, agencies participating in Law Enforcement Accreditation may recognize reductions in assessment costs due to the fewer number of standards applicable to the review process. Agencies engaging in the first tier of Law Enforcement Accreditation will not be eligible for the Commission's Law Enforcement Accreditation with Excellence Award. The introduction of the CALEA Law Enforcement Tiered Accreditation Program is an example of the Commission listening to its clients, recognizing a changing environment, and continuously upholding professionalism and service integrity within the public safety community. CALEA is excited about the delivery of these new program options and encourages feedback from agencies as the process matures. |
Introducing the New and Improved CALEA Website
First-time visitors to the new CALEA website will see that the overall design, navigation and features have been built in a way that supports CALEA clients, potential clients, Commissioners, Assessors, and Staff. From accreditation information, to purchasing through the CALEA store, to search capabilities, and document downloads; each component of the site was designed to create greater efficiencies for each group of users. Visit www.calea.org today and if you are from a CALEA Client agency, click the log in link on the top of the page and create a new account. This account allows you more access on the new website and gives you one point of entry and access for most, if not all, of the information needed on a daily basis. SO VISIT WWW.CALEA.ORG TODAY! |
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Conference News
- CALEA SPRING CONFERENCE MARCH 23-25, 2011
If you like the feel of small town ambience, then Bethesda, Maryland is the place for you to visit. Located just north of Washington, DC and Chevy Chase, Maryland and just South of Rockville, Maryland, it is part of the greater area of Washington and is a nice escape out of the hectic city rush. The Bethesda Metro Station is located in the heart of downtown for your travel and touring needs. Home of the C&O Canal National Historic Park, this park is situated alongside the ambling Potomac River. Also home to a large assortment of art museums, fine restaurants and great shopping. While in Bethesda take a trip along "restaurant row", eight city blocks full of upscale restaurants and ethnic eateries. Take a road trip and shop til you drop along "Miracle Mile" between Bethesda and Rockville where you will find captivating shops and specialty stores with great shopping adventures. Travel to Bethesda is easy and convenient by air, train or automobile, with Washington Dulles International Airport, Reagan National Airport or Baltimore Washington International airport located just miles away.
- The CALEA host hotel and conference location is the Marriott Bethesda North Hotel & Conference Center located at 5701 Marinelli Road, Bethesda, MD 20852. Call the hotel's reservations department at 800-228-9290 or 301-822-9200 and advise that you are with the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). The conference room rate is $175.00 for a single or a double room, plus sales tax.
- We are currently developing the online conference registration section of our website. We expect it to be operational in the near future. If you would like to register immediately, please download the Conference Brochure from the Registrationpage of the website and complete the registration form. The form can be mailed or faxed to CALEA.
- CALEA will have an Exhibition Hall at the Bethesda Conference. The CALEA Exhibition Hall offers industry suppliers a marketplace where decision makers can view, examine, and compare products available for their use in Public Safety. Space is available! Interested parties should contact CALEA Associate Director Jim Brown or Executive Assistant Rhonda Garner for information.
- CACE Lab Class will be offered on Wednesday and Friday at the Bethesda Conference. Advanced registration is required for CACE Laboratory and enrollment is on a first come/first serve basis. Registration is limited to one CACE user per agency. To register and receive additional information, please contact CALEA Information Technology Coordinator Linda Phillips at lphillips@calea.org.
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Be a CALEA Conference Presenter and Receive a Complimentary Registration!
Are you planning on attending an upcoming CALEA Conference? You may be eligible for a complimentary conference registration! CALEA is looking for knowledgeable CALEA Clients to present additional quality training that deals with managing the CALEA process or compliance with standards. Classes are 1 hour and 15 minutes long and are presented twice on the same day. Selected presenters will receive a complimentary registration and a banquet ticket if the presenter is attending the banquet.
CALEA's upcoming conferences are:
Cincinnati, OH July 27-30, 2011
Colorado Springs, CO November 16-19, 2011
For more information contact Jim Brown at jbrown@calea.org or (703) 352-4225, extension 26. |
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CALEA Agency News
- The CALEA Fall 2010 Conference Awards News Release has been added to the Commission Website. It can be found in the News Section.
- Twenty-seven agencies were recognized during the November 2010 CALEA Conference Celebration Banquet, for having been CALEA Accredited for 15 or more continuous years. Click HERE to view the list of Meritorious Agencies.
- CALEA has posted the names of the Flagship Agencies honored at the Fall CALEA Conference. The CALEA Flagship Agency Program is designed to acknowledge CALEA Accredited public safety agencies that have demonstrated success in the accreditation process. The program also serves to provide other agencies seeking accreditation with examples of "best practices" on how to address compliance, policy development, file maintenance, and other issues relating to the accreditation process. The Flagship Agency designation is effective for the duration of the agency's current award period. Click HERE to view CALEA Flagship Agencies.
- Chief Michael Biasotti and of the New Windsor (NY) Police Department and his wife, Barbara have been named 2010 recipients of the national Torrey Advocacy Commendation for their advocacy on behalf of those too severely disabled by mental illnesses to recognize their own need for care. The Biasottis were selected by the Treatment Advocacy Center for their support of assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) laws in New York ("Kendra's Law"). Click HERE for more information of this noteworthy award. The New Windsor Police Department has been CALEA Accredited since July 2010.
- Mark Magaw has been named the Acting Chief of Police for the Prince George's County (MD) Police Department. Prince George's County Police Department has been CALEA Accredited since March 1991.
- The new Director for the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is Stanley Florence. Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation has been CALEA Accredited since July 2002.
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Attention CALEA Accredited Agencies! We are seeking additional articles for publication. AccreditationWorks! presents first-hand testimonies of the positive outcomes of CALEA Accreditation for an agency. These success stories reflect the often unreported benefits experienced by CALEA Agencies. A collection of these articles can be found on our website. Click HERE to view the current listings. Please call or email CALEA Update Editor Janice Dixon with your ideas or submissions: (800) 368-3757, ext. 33 or jdixon@calea.org. |
Police Accreditation Coalition (PACs) News
A directory of all PACs is located in the CALEA Client Section, Click HERE to view list
- CALEA Deputy Director W. Craig Hartley, Jr. and Program Manager Dennis M. Hyater will be in attendance at the next Indiana Police Accreditation Coalition (IPAC) meeting scheduled for January 25-26, 2011 in Indianapolis.
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CALEA Online en Español
Pueden ver información sobre los Programas y Procesos de CALEA en Españolen la página de CALEA oprimiendo el botón Español. |
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Program Managers' Corner
This is the nineteenth in a series of short articles
from your CALEA Program Managers.
CALEA is very excited about the future of accreditation and is working diligently to ensure its programs continue to be value-added for the public safety community. As examples of CALEA's focus on the future we have revised assessor training to complement the needs of contemporary assessment teams and we have added four new accreditation classes to the conference training curriculum. Furthermore, the Commission has recently adopted a Tiered Accreditation structure for the law enforcement program and beta testing of a new assessment model is currently underway. The new assessment model being tested focuses on processes and outcomes and does not include comprehensive file review. The assessment model encourages agency feedback on important areas for review and strives to provide information to the agency for continuous improvement.
Brief Summary of Reengineered Accreditation Assessment Model
During the July 2010 CALEA Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada the Commission approved the beta testing of a revised accreditation assessment process and requested the proposal be presented to client agencies for feedback. It should be noted the revised process includes a number of changes from the current model but primarily involves the following:
- Transitioning to a process and outcomes based assessment.
- Eliminating the ongoing maintenance of standards files by agencies seeking reaccreditation.
- Promoting self-reporting by agencies.
- Enhancing the Annual Report and requiring its submission three times between awards.
- Limiting file review to new or amended standards and in areas where the agency has changed policy or practice.
What's been done:
Five beta test sites have been selected to assist in evaluating the new reaccreditation assessment model. These assessments will occur in December 2010 and January 2011.
These agencies involved in the beta project are:
1. Arvada (CO) Police Department
2. Charlotte-Mecklenburg (NC) Police Department
3. Lake Bluff (IL) Police Department
4. Ashland (VA) Police Department
5. Monroe County (FL) Sheriff's Office
Each of these agencies has participated in orientation sessions and have been assisted by CALEA staff to prepare for the assessment. Additionally, ten assessors have been trained in the delivery of assessment services under the revised model. The results of this project will be reported to the Commission in March of 2011, at the Montgomery County, Maryland Conference.
What is happening next:
In April of 2011 additional beta testing will occur and the findings will be reported to the Commission in July of 2011 at the Cincinnati, Ohio Conference.
What has been approved:
During the November 2010 CALEA Conference in Garden Grove, California the Commission approved the transition to a Tiered Accreditation Program for Law Enforcement Agencies to begin January 1, 2011.
The new tiered program will have two levels of accreditation in which law enforcement agencies may choose to participate, regardless of agency size or function:
- Accreditation = 177 standards
- Advanced Accreditation = 464 standards
Agencies will now have the option to choose which level of accreditation is appropriate for their service style and organizational capacity.
What should agencies do:
The most important thing for agencies to remember at this point is that nothing related to the re-engineering of the reaccreditation on-site process has been approved/adopted by the Commission. Therefore, agencies should not make any changes to their current practices. Agencies should continue to maintain standards files and ensure they are up-to-date with contemporary proofs of compliance.
As always agencies are encouraged to contact their program manager with questions.
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CALEA Standards
- The Commission Standards Review and Interpretation Committee (SRIC) directed staff to post several Law Enforcement, Training Academy and Communications Standards for client comment. The standards can be found in the CALEA Forum II's SRIC Section. All comments should be submitted before January 28, 2011.
- In coming weeks, the latest Standard Manual Change Notice for agencies in the CALEA Law Enforcement, Public Safety Training Academy, and Public Safety Communications Accreditation Program will be available. The download will be located in the Client Section of CALEA Online website. CALEA will send an email to all client agencies when the notices have been posted.
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CALEA Accreditation Compliance Express(CACE)
 In January, CACE Users with an active Update Service plan can download the latest updates to CALEA Standards via the CALEA website. For more information, contact CALEA staff member Linda Phillips (lphillips@calea.org).
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CALEA Assessors
- The Assessor Conflict of Interest Policy has been posted to the Assessor Forums's News Section for your review.
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 CALEA FORUM II is an electronic discussion forum where CALEA Clients can post specific questions or seek advice from others in the accreditation community. CALEA Client personnel can view the forum after logging into the website. The following is a list of recent thread postings:
- 22.3.3 Physical Fitness Programs (Law Enforcement)
- 41.2.7 Mental Illness (Law Enforcement)
- 53.1.1 Line Inspections (Law Enforcement)
- Computer Based Testing
- Electronic read receipts
- Email Retention Policies
- HR 218, the Law Enforcement Officers' Safety Act
- Policies Involving Inclement Weather
The CALEA Forum II is integrated into the CALEA website. Your login to the forum is the same as your site login, and you can search forum topics and replies using the main site search. Please click HERE to view the forum's Help Section. |
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Jobs
Current listings on CALEA website
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Message to CALEA Client Personnel In early 2010, CALEA Staff began using a new software package called Accreditation Management System (AMS). AMS is a very innovative, intuitive, and robust system that assists CALEA with the management of the accreditation process and provides staff the ability to correspond with client personnel electronically from within the program. The items transmitted include requirements and documentations for upcoming on-site assessments, annual report reminders, and assessor reports and forms. All messages from AMS are sent from the email address of calea@calea.org. Because of the potential that you or someone from your agency will receive messages from us in the future, please check your computer and network settings to ensure that our mail address (also our domain name: @calea.org) is not deleted or filtered into a "junk" or "bulk" folder. If you are unsure of how to view or adjust your email control settings, please contact your network administrator for assistance. Thank you for the continued support of the Commission. |
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YES WE MOVED!
CALEA's New Address is:
13575 Heathcote Boulevard, Suite 320
Gainesville, Virginia 20155
(703) 352-4225
FAX (703) 890-3126
www.calea.org
calea@calea.org
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