Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Friday, August 3, 2018
(BLOOMINGTON) - The Bloomington Police Department (BPD) was awarded national accreditation Saturday, July 28 by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA). BPD’s first award of national accreditation was made in recognition of the department’s excellence in public safety and commitment to community.
The award was presented at the CALEA conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with BPD Chief Mike Diekhoff, Deputy Chief Joe Qualters, Captain Scott Oldham, Captain Steve Kellams and Lieutenant Ryan Pedigo in attendance.
The CALEA award follows a multi-year self-assessment phase and a site-based assessment of community engagement, policy, procedures, equipment and facilities by CALEA assessors. Each agency under review goes before CALEA's 21-member Board of Commissioners, which reviews all findings and determines accreditation status. CALEA's accreditation is renewable on a four-year cycle that requires four annual remote, web-based file reviews and a site-based assessment in the fourth year.
"I was convinced that the Bloomington Police Department had the record of excellent public safety delivery to meet CALEA's standards, and urged that we pursue accreditation to benchmark that and assure it consistently through coming years," said Mayor John Hamilton. "By doing so, our department has demonstrated its willingness that their practices and protocols be thoroughly evaluated on a regular basis, and to make the changes required to maintain accreditation. Bloomington residents should take pride in knowing their safety is being protected by officers operating at this level of competency, accountability, and integrity."
Established as a credentialing authority in 1979, CALEA offers a set of professional standards based on international best practices in public safety, to which local law enforcement agencies may voluntarily demonstrate their adherence.
Specifically, CALEA's goals are to strengthen crime prevention and control capabilities, formalize essential management procedures, establish fair and nondiscriminatory personnel practices, improve service delivery, solidify interagency cooperation and coordination, and increase community and staff confidence in the agency.
"All of my officers demonstrate the utmost commitment to residents' safety every day because it is their passion and their promise," said Chief Diekhoff, "and CALEA accreditation is a gratifying recognition of that commitment."
1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com
© Ad-Venture Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.