The Cambridge Police Department has entered a national accreditation process through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, a step Chief Justin Todd said is intended to strengthen departmental policies and align operations with nationally recognized best practices.
The department registered with CALEA and has been engaged in the accreditation process since July, officials said.
CALEA was founded in 1979 as a joint project of four major law enforcement organizations: the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, the National Sheriffs’ Association, and the Police Executive Research Forum.
To earn accreditation, a public safety agency must demonstrate compliance with CALEA standards, which include 185 benchmarks covering areas such as policy development, accountability, training, community engagement and operational readiness.
“These standards are considered foundational for contemporary law enforcement agencies,” CALEA says in its literature, adding that accredited agencies are prepared to manage issues related to life, health and safety and to maintain sound personnel practices.
Accreditation is a five-stage process that can take months or longer to complete. Todd said the Cambridge Police Department is currently in the self-assessment phase, where policies and practices are reviewed and evaluated in detail.
“This includes, but is not limited to recruitment, candidate selection, training, codes of conduct, discipline, complaints, internal affairs, grievances, working conditions and fiscal responsibility,” Todd said.
The review also includes procedures related to operational readiness, communication, goals and objectives, weapons training, use-of-force reporting, and the department’s policies regarding employee rights, limits of authority and ethical standards, according to the department.
As part of the process, the department is submitting policies and documentation to CALEA for review. After that phase is completed, Todd said CALEA will schedule an on-site assessment.
“Once that is complete, which takes a good amount of time, they will schedule us for an on-site assessment,” Todd said. “They come to the police department, inspect all areas, interview officers, and make sure we are abiding by all regulations.”
If the department earns accreditation, it must be renewed every four years, requiring continued compliance and updated documentation. Todd said the renewal requirement helps ensure standards remain consistent and are passed on to new personnel.
CALEA accreditation is held by several law enforcement agencies in Maryland, Delaware and Virginia, including the Anne Arundel County Police Department, Bowie Police Department, Howard County Sheriff’s Office, Maryland State Police, University of Maryland Police Department and Montgomery County. Accredited agencies in Delaware and Virginia include the Dover Police Department, Delaware State Police, New Castle County Police Department, Wilmington Police Department, Virginia State Police and Virginia Beach Police Department, along with sheriff’s offices in Loudoun County and Frederick County.
Todd said the Cambridge Police Department is aiming to complete the process and seek accreditation within the next year.
“We are hopeful we will be ready to go up for accreditation by this time next year at their annual conference,” he said.
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