CALEA is governed by a Commission Board composed of 21 members. By mandate, the board allows for eleven law enforcement practitioners, with the balance selected from the public and private sectors. CALEA maintains a professional staff contingent managed by an executive director. The staff conducts all administrative and operational duties as directed by the Commission.
CALEA operates as an independent, nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation. It is not part of, or beholden to, any governmental entity. Fees paid by public safety agencies defray the Commission’s major operating costs. The Commission’s authority is derived solely from the voluntary participation of public safety agencies in the accreditation program.
The purpose of CALEA is to improve the delivery of public safety services by maintaining a body of professional standards that support the administration of accreditation programs.
CALEA Accreditation succeeds through:
- Agency Leadership
- Serves as a resource management tool
- Establishes trusted processes and best practices
- Provides a planning framework
- Encourages organizational growth and improvement
- Agency Personnel
- Ensures contemporary equipment and training
- Promotes sound operational decisions
- Establishes supportive personnel practices
- The Community
- Fosters community awareness
- Creates organizational transparency
- Promotes open dialogue and information-sharing
