Accreditation

The Law Enforcement Support Agency (LESA) is in the first phase of national accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). The program has become the primary method for a communications agency to voluntarily demonstrate their commitment to excellence.

The CALEA Accreditation Process is a proven modern management model. Once implemented, it presents an agency’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), on a continuing basis, with a blueprint that promotes the efficient use of resources and improves service delivery—regardless of the size, geographic location, or functional responsibilities of the agency.

There are five phases in the accreditation process: 1. Getting Started and Enrollment, 2. Self-Assessment, 3. On-site Assessment, 4. Commission Review and Decision, and 5. Maintaining Compliance and Reaccreditation.

The standards upon which the Public Safety Communications Accreditation Program is based reflect the current thinking and experience of public safety communications executives and accreditation experts. APCO International (Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials International, Inc.), the leading communications membership association, was a partner in the development of CALEA’s Standards for Public Safety Communications Agencies© and its Accreditation Program. This relationship continues today as APCO recognizes the achievements of CALEA Accredited Public Safety Communications agencies and supports accreditation.

Once the application has been completed and accepted, the Self-Assessment phase begins.

Self-Assessment

The agency begins the phase called self-assessment with the return of the signed agreement and the completed Agency Profile Questionnaire (APQ). The APQ is an informal document permitting answers to be provided as conveniently as possible and the best estimate may be appropriate in some areas. The completed APQ contains agency-specific and general community information that permits the assigned CALEA Program Manager to facilitate interaction with the agency’s accreditation manager and provide program related assistance.

Agencies in the Public Safety Communications Accreditation Program have 24 months from the date a CALEA representative signs the Accreditation Agreement to complete self-assessment and schedule an on-site assessment. The Agreements provide for extensions and related fees in the event an agency requires additional time beyond the Agreement limit.

The agency proceeds with self-assessment by complying with applicable standards, developing proofs of compliance, and preparing for the on-site assessment. During this time, the CALEA Program Manager is available to provide guidance on the applicability of standards and attaining compliance.

Near the end of the self-assessment phase, the agency, in conjunction with the CALEA Program Manager, develops plans for accomplishing on-site assessment activities.

On-Site Assessment

Once the agency has notified CALEA of its completion of the self-assessment phase and its desire to schedule an on-site assessment, the CALEA Program Manager schedules a date that is mutually agreeable and in compliance with the agreement between the agency and CALEA.

Commission Review and Decision

The Commission’s Agency Review Committees conduct hearings, which are open for public attendance, regarding the agency’s compliance to applicable standards. Designated agency representatives are invited to participate in this review. If an agency is unable to participate, the CALEA Program Manager presents the agency’s on-site report and other necessary information to the Review Committee.

At the CALEA Conference, the agency receives a letter conferring accredited status for three years. Later, one framed Certificate of Accreditation for display is sent, at no cost to the agency. The agency also receives certificates of appreciation for the CEO and accreditation manager. Additional certificates can be ordered, for a fee, from CALEA.

Maintaining Compliance and Reaccreditation

The agency must maintain compliance with applicable standards, keep its proofs of compliance up-to-date, and live by the letter and spirit of those standards. To retain its accreditation status, the agency is required to submit to CALEA annually, the appropriate accreditation continuation fees and a CALEA Agency Annual Report. The annual report, due by its anniversary date each year, includes a summary of the agency’s accreditation maintenance experience for the preceding year and a declaration of continued compliance with applicable standards.

LESA’s Accreditation Manager is Tina Huber, and she can be reached at HuberT@lesa.net.