The Department of Justice, this week, announced Standards for Certification on Safe Policing for Communities that will be used to determine United States law enforcement agencies’ eligibility for Department of Justice discretionary grant funding. The Standards of Certification are a result of President Trump’s Executive Order 13929 (June 16, 2020), Safe Policing for Safe Communities.
As the leader in public safety accreditation, the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA®) was named as a national certifying authority by the Department of Justice. Although there are significant differences between “policy certification” and “accreditation”, we will provide CALEA Accredited agencies with the resources necessary to understand the associated initiative and support their efforts to comply with Standards for Certification requirements.
Although CALEA does not control the actions of the federal government, we want to be certain we are in a position to support client agencies that need assistance with regard to the direction of federal programs that are also within the scope our responsibilities to the public safety professional community. As a result of our key organizational priorities, we have created an accreditation platform and process that will allow our client agencies to seamlessly respond to the demands presented in this latest initiative. We understand agencies have credentialing authority choices with regard to this certification process; however, we are prepared to support your certification requirements.
As we receive additional information and finalize internal processes, we will continue to keep you updated, as well as provide you with instruction on how to request the necessary certification.
As a CALEA Accredited organization, you are among the elite public safety agencies in the world.
Certification is not accreditation. However, you are prepared and we are prepared to support you.
Additional Resources:
Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA®)
COPS Office Website:
Implementation Fact Sheet:
Principles on Safe Policing for Safe Communities:
List of Designated Independent Credentialing Bodies:
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