Purpose of Accreditation
The overall goal of the Accreditation program is to improve the delivery of law enforcement services to the community it supports. Like all organizations, the Warwick Police Department continually looks for ways to upgrade its policies and procedures. No matter how effective daily operations are, there is always room for improvement.
Why Accreditation?
Although new to the law enforcement field, universities, hospitals and other professional organizations have, for many years, undergone similar accreditation processes to prove compliance with a set of professional, nationwide standards. Accreditation serves to distinguish participating organizations as having met professional standards of conduct and service.
As in other professional organizations, those in law enforcement recognized the need to develop professional standards. Accordingly, then Commission of Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. was formed in 1979 to establish a body of standards intended to increase efficiency, effectiveness and accountability in law enforcement organizations. The Commission is a joint effort of four respected organizations, the International Association of Chief of Police, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, the Nationals Sheriff's Association, and the Police Executive Research Forum. The Commission formulated over 900 standards covering all areas of law enforcement to constitute the first edition of the Manual of Standards for Law Enforcement Agencies.
What are the Standards Addressed?
- Role, responsibility and relationship with other agencies.
- Organization, management and administration
- Law enforcement operations, operational support, criminal investigation & traffic enforcement
- Prisoner Transport and Court Security
- Records and Property Management
- Communications and Technical Services
What are the benefits of accreditation?
- Nationwide recognition of professional excellence
- Community understanding and support
- Pro-active management systems, polices, and procedures documented
- Liability litigation's are reduced
- Enhances the morale of department personnel
- Adherence to law enforcement standards reinforces public confidence in police departments much the same as it does for hospitals, universities, and other professional services
- Accreditation makes a statement to other law enforcement agencies, professions and the community that the Warwick Police Department meets the highest level of standards and professionalism
How many law enforcement agencies are accredited?
The Warwick Police Department is one of more than 750 law enforcement agencies in the United States and Canada that is accredited. There are numerous other agencies throughout the United States that are seeking accredited status.
When did the Warwick Police Department become accredited?
The Warwick Police Department was accredited in November of 1997. Warwick was the 1st city agency within the State of Rhode Island to become accredited. The following local police departments have also achieved Accreditation status: Rhode Island State Police, Brown University Police, Cumberland Police, Smithfield Police, Providence Police, Middletown Police, Bristol Police and Cranston Police. Several other Rhode Island Police Departments are pursuing this coveted recognition.
Is there a copy of the Warwick Police Department's Policy and Procedure Manual?
Please follow this link to a Google Drive with all the current policies.
For more information, contact the Warwick Police Department Accreditation Manager at: (401) 468-4330 during regular business hours.
Tell CALEA how we are doing! Please use the following link to provide feedback on our services to CALEA (Commission on Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies). Comments go directly to CALEA for consideration in our on-going accreditation process.
