During the CALEA Conference in Dallas, Texas in March 2010, the Explanation Police Department was recognized for achieving and maintaining CALEA Accreditation for 15 or more continuous years, and received an enhanced Certificate of Meritorious Accreditation. The GPD was commended for this achievement and its long-term commitment to professional excellence.

CALEA
The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA), was established as an independent accrediting authority in 1979 by the 4 major law enforcement membership associations: International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP); National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE); National Sheriff’s Association (NSA); and Police Executive Research Forum (PERF). The Executive Directors of these 4 associations appoint members to the Commission annually; an endorsement requires a majority vote for each appointment.

Members and Staff
The Commission has 21 members; 11 members are law enforcement practitioners; the remaining 10 members are selected from the public and private-sectors. Commissioners are appointed to a term of 3 years. The position of Commissioner is voluntary and receives no salary, although travel and per diem expenses are provided when conducting Commission business. CALEA maintains a small, professional staff managed by an Executive Director. The staff conducts all administrative and operational duties as directed by the Commission. Commission staff is available to assist applicant and accredited agencies through a toll-free telephone number and their website.

CALEA produces a newsletter and offers workshops to explain the accreditation process and standards during the Commission Conference held 3 times annually.

Purpose of the Commission

1. To develop a set of law enforcement standards
2. Administer an accreditation process through which law enforcement agencies could demonstrate voluntarily. They meet professionally-recognized criteria for excellence in management and service delivery.

Successful completion of the accreditation program requires commitment from all levels of the organization, starting with the Chief Executive Officer. To foster commitment, a decision to participate should be voluntary. To this end, the Commission insures that law enforcement accreditation is and will continue to be a voluntary program.

Benefits of Accreditation

Benefit	Explanation
Controlled liability insurance costs	Accredited status makes it easier for agencies to purchase police liability insurance; allows agencies to increase the limit of their insurance coverage more easily; and, in many cases, results in lower premiums.
Stronger defense against lawsuits and citizen complaints	Accredited agencies are better able to defend themselves against lawsuits and citizen complaints. Many agencies report a decline in legal actions against them, once they become accredited.
Greater accountability within the agency	Accreditation standards give the Chief Executive Officer a proven management system of written directives, sound training, clearly defined lines of authority, and routine reports that support decision-making and resource allocation.
Staunch support from government officials	Accreditation provides objective evidence of an agency' commitment to excellence in leadership, resource management, and service-delivery. Thus, government officials are more confident in the agency's ability to operate efficiently and meet community needs.
Increased community advocacy	Accreditation embodies the precepts of community-oriented policing. It creates a forum in which police and citizens work together to prevent and control challenges confronting law enforcement and provides clear direction about community expectations.
Improved employee morale	Accreditation is a coveted award that symbolizes professionalism, excellence, and competence. It requires written directives and training to inform employees about policies and practices; facilities and equipment to ensure employees' safety; and processes to safeguard employees; rights. Employees take pride in their department, knowing it represents the very best in law enforcement.