PowerDMS

CALEA® Electronic Publications and PowerDMS™ FAQs

Where do I get the CALEA electronic publications? I can’t find them on the CALEA website.

The CALEA electronic publications are not stored on the CALEA website. However, if you are not a CALEA client, you may subscribe by visiting www.calea.org, using the menu access Resources and then select "manual subscriptions." There is also a quick link by accessing the shopping cart icon at the bottom of the homepage. Non-clients seeking access should follow the subscription instructions.

Those agencies that enroll in CALEA Accreditation will receive instructions from PowerDMS™ on how to gain access to the CALEA electronic publications after returning all required enrollment forms. This will occur within days of CALEA Accreditation enrollment.

Current CALEA clients should contact CALEA for direction.

What is PowerDMS™?

PowerDMS™ is a SaaS document management solution. Upon enrollment, an agency becomes eligible for PowerDMS™ Standards Lite to view CALEA Standards electronically. Agencies can subscribe to PowerDMS™ Standards to manage the CALEA Accreditation process in conjunction with CALEA electronic publications. This option creates and supports an entirely paperless process and makes managing accreditation easier and more efficient.

The available subscription services are as follows:

PowerDMS™ Standards Lite - This is provided as a part of client services for agencies enrolled in CALEA Accreditation. Other agencies that want the ability to view CALEA Standards electronically can access them through PowerDMS™ Standards Lite with an annual subscription.

PowerDMS™ Standards - Agencies can elect to upgrade to the full version, enabling assessment capability so that agencies can digitally map proofs of compliance against CALEA Standards and set up tasks related to those standards.

PowerDMS™ Policy, Training, Test & Survey - Agencies can subscribe to this service to electronically manage policies, procedures and other crucial documents.

For more information call 1-800-749-5104, select the option for sales or email us at sales@powerdms.com.

CALEA maintains its electronic publications, including all standards manuals and the CALEA Process and Programs Guide, exclusively through the PowerDMS™. Updates to the manuals are published within days of amendments approved by the Commission. This provides clients with the fastest access to revisions and provides a tool for visually comparing the newest release to previously-published editions. For accreditation managers, this is invaluable and can impact the ability to comply with standards on a continuing basis.

I purchased PowerDMS™ Standards. How do I get the CALEA Electronic Standards Manual loaded into it?

Once you have been provided a URL for access to PowerDMS™, and you have a user name and password, simply log in. From the home screen, click the Administration Menu (gears symbol) at the top right of the screen. From this window, select “Standards Manual Communities” on the left banner and you will see a list of communities, find the one you want and then click the “Request Membership” button.

CALEA will receive your request and provide access if approved within 1 to 2 business days, but usually sooner.

Is there any training on how to navigate the Electronic Standards Manual in PowerDMS™?

When you receive access to a PowerDMS™ site that has been set up for your agency, you can receive training in one of two ways:

Help Section - After logging into your PowerDMS™ site, click on Help to access the User guide and video tutorials.

Webinar Training – CALEA provides a link to ongoing, free training offered by PowerDMS™. Find the session you want to attend and register. You will want to attend the Standards training, but you can find other training webinars that may also be helpful to you here: PowerDMS Webinar Schedule.

Getting Started with PowerDMS - This guide is a collection of PowerDS articles that can set you on the path to success with PowerDMS. It is especially handy for new users, but is also a good reference for seasoned users.

CALEA members can contact PowerDMS™ representatives at 800.749.5104 and select the sales option or email sales@powerdms.com to address logistics and pricing.

PowerDMS™ Standards serves as an accreditation management tool. Although you will no longer be required to maintain hard-copy files, your files will be constructed and maintained within PowerDMS™ electronically.

PowerDMS™ serves to address all of the data previously documented on the ISSR, and the use of an ISSR would create unnecessary, duplicate work. You can organize your written directives, written documentation, interviews and observable standards all within PowerDMS™.

Do I have to pay an annual subscription fee for the CALEA electronic publications?

Every active CALEA member is invoiced for the annual subscription to the CALEA electronic publications.

It is important to note that only PowerDMS™ is an authorized distributor of CALEA Publications. Members will be required to meet all accreditation process requirements, which are addressed through PowerDMS™.

Who do I call for IT support for PowerDMS™?

You can receive support by emailing PowerDMS at support@powerdms.com or by calling 800.749.5104, option 2. Hours of operation for PowerDMS™ support are Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST.

Who do I call for questions about the CALEA® electronic publications, including standards manuals access?

Call CALEA at 703.352.4225 and you will be routed to the appropriate resource for your service region.

Why can’t I print the entire manual from PowerDMS™?

PowerDMS™ does not support printing of the entire manual, but users may print individual standards in PowerDMS™ Standards Lite or PowerDMS™ Standards.