CALEA's Purpose

Establishes a body of professional standards and an accreditation process that:

  • Requires an agency to develop a comprehensive set of written directives
  • Provides the necessary reports and analyses a CEO needs to make fact-based, informed management decisions
  • Required a preparedness program be put in place
  • Is a means for developing or improving upon relationship with the community• Strengthens an agency’s accountability, within the agency and the community• Can limit an agency’s liability and risk exposure
  • Facilitates an agency’s pursuit of professional excellence

CALEA Standards

The standards address nine major law enforcement areas:

  • role, responsibilities, and relationships
  • organization, management, and administration
  • personnel structure
  • personnel process
  • operations
  • operation support
  • traffic operations
  • detainee and court-related activities
  • auxiliary and technical services

The standards help law enforcement agencies:

  • strengthen crime prevention and control capabilities
  • formalize essential management procedures
  • establish fair and nondiscriminatory personnel practices
  • improve service delivery
  • solidify interagency cooperation and coordination
  • boost citizen and staff confidence in the agency

Example of a CALEA Standard

4.3.3 (LE1)

(M M M M) (LE1) Annual/Biennial Proficiency Training

At least annually, all agency personnel authorized to carry weapons are required to receive in-service training on the agency’s use of force policies and demonstrate proficiency with all approved lethal weapons and electronic control weapons that the employee is authorized to use. In-service training for other less lethal weapons and weaponless control techniques shall occur at least biennially. In addition:

  1.  proficiency training must be monitored by a certified weapons or tactics instructor;
  2.  training and proficiency must be documented; and
  3.  the agency must have procedures for remedial training for those employees who are unable to qualify with an authorized weapon prior to resuming official duties.

CALEA and WVC Police Department

  • Currently the only CALEA accredited agency in Utah
  • Continuous updating of policy to meet standards
  • We conduct annual analyzes/reviews on high liability areas:
    • bias-based policing; use of force; pursuits; internal/external
    • complaints; property & evidence inspections/audits; active
    • threats; EOP; etc.
  • CALEA has substantially increased our training and expertise
  • Fewer than 7% of law enforcement agencies nationwide achieve CALEA Accreditation!!!