CALEA Announces Organizational Structure and Program Manager Changes

Craig Hartley

CALEA Deputy Director/Chief of Staff

Any good business model will insist that the customer comes first. CALEA has always strived to respect this service delivery axiom, primarily to ensure that agencies enrolled in accreditation programming have strong staff resources available when attempting to reach standards' compliance. However, in recent years the implementation of sophisticated client management software systems has allowed CALEA to rethink its organizational structure and develop even better designs to promote greater efficiencies in the delivery of services.

As of May 2011, CALEA embarked on a new service delivery model that impacts enrolled agencies by re-assigning four CALEA Program Managers to regional service platforms, and one CALEA Program Manager for all accreditation assessment coordination.

The goals of this new client services delivery model include the following: 

• Provide a format that promotes grassroots involvement by program managers in local/regional public safety meetings and activities.
• Provide more responsiveness and CALEA awareness regarding matters affecting public safety professionals in specific geographic regions.
• Bring more consistency to the assessment process for assessors, Commissioners and client agencies.
• Promote regional training opportunities for clients and those interested in CALEA Accreditation.
• Incorporate systematic reviews of client trends and patterns, and preparation of training to address important issues based on regional data.
• Promote reoccurring CALEA contact with clients to support agencies in the pursuit of professional excellence.
• Provide proactive outreach from CALEA staff on important accreditation related matters.
• Provide greater client assistance in researching and developing solutions to standards-related issues. 

In order to guarantee a seamless delivery of service and a smooth transition process, enrolled agencies were made aware of this transition and that they may be reassigned to a different program manager as their primary staff contact as a result of this change. Additionally, Program Manager Karen Shepard will serve as the CALEA Assessment Manager and will be responsible for all aspects of the assessment process for every agency. However, the primary CALEA Program Manager assigned to the agency will support the accreditation managers and other agency representatives in preparing for the assessment process.    

CALEA has established the following service regions and assigned program managers to support this new organizational format:

• Program Manager Steve Mitchell - Northeast Region and Southwest Region.
• Program Manager Maya Mitchell - Mid-Atlantic Region, Rocky Mountain Region, and Pacific Region.
• Program Manager Dennis Hyater - Southeast Region, Pacific Northwest Region, and Caribbean Region.
• Program Manager Christie Goddard - Great Lakes Region and North Central Region.
• Field Representative to Latin America Lorena Singer/Program Manager Christie Goddard - Mexico and Latin America Region.  

As is evidenced by our willingness to change to support client needs, CALEA is committed to providing the best possible services to agencies enrolled in CALEA programming. This transition complements other major strategic advancements, such as the introduction of the law enforcement tiered accreditation program options and college and university specific standards, the new campus security accreditation program, and the new assessment model that focuses on outcomes as opposed to file review.

CALEA has its sights set on remaining the gold standard in public safety accreditation. Agencies can be assured that CALEA will take action to remain the mark of excellence for contemporary agencies whose leaders value best practices and the application of professional standards as a part of their management models.

Click HERE to view CALEA Regions Map.