BLOOMINGTON — The Bloomington Police Department (BPD) has once again earned full Tier 1 accreditation status through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA), city officials announced.
The reaccreditation—awarded on July 25, 2026—marks the third consecutive time BPD has achieved the honor, placing the agency among an elite group of law enforcement departments nationwide.
A National Standard of Excellence
CALEA accreditation is widely recognized as the gold standard in law enforcement, emphasizing the principles of modern, community-oriented policing. Out of approximately 18,000 law enforcement agencies across the United States, only about 5% achieve and maintain CALEA accreditation.
BPD first received its Tier 1 accreditation in July 2018. The newly awarded accreditation remains in effect for four years, during which BPD will retain all associated privileges and status.
“The Bloomington Police Department is dedicated to providing competent and professional policing services to everyone in the Bloomington community,” said BPD Chief Michael Diekhoff. “Our accreditation through CALEA ensures that we remain at the forefront of modern policing and utilize the very best policies and procedures to protect those we serve.”
Rigorous Review Process
Achieving reaccreditation requires a comprehensive evaluation of every facet of the department’s operations. To earn the award, BPD had to demonstrate compliance with more than 180 CALEA standards—internationally accepted public safety principles that undergo annual reviews by subject matter experts.
The assessment process included:
- Documentation Review: Independent assessors examined BPD’s written policies, operational practices, and administrative procedures.
- Community & Staff Input: Evaluators gathered public feedback and held structured interviews with department personnel and local community stakeholders.
- Commission Hearing: Assessors submitted a final report to a governing body of 21 CALEA Commissioners, who conducted a public hearing and review in Omaha, Nebraska, on July 24 before voting to grant the accreditation on July 25.
City Leadership Reacts
City leaders praised the department’s ongoing efforts to maintain high operational standards and transparent community engagement.
“Earning CALEA accreditation is a significant achievement,” said Bloomington Mayor Kerry Thomson. “Earning it for a third consecutive cycle reflects a sustained commitment to excellence by our Bloomington Police Department. This reaccreditation demonstrates that the Department continues to meet rigorous, nationally recognized standards while continually looking for ways to learn, grow, and improve. I am grateful to the officers and professional staff whose dedication and service made this recognition possible.”
