The Burleson Police Department was the first police department in Texas to be accredited by CALEA, the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. We have been re-accredited six times since 1987. The voluntary accreditation program for law enforcement agencies is a joint effort of the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc., and four major law enforcement executive membership associations:

International Association of Chiefs of Police; National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives; National Sheriffs' Association; and the Police Executive Research Forum.

The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) was formed in 1979 to establish a body of standards designed to:

increase law enforcement agency capabilities to prevent and control crime; increase agency effectiveness and efficiency in the delivery of law enforcement services; increase cooperation and coordination with other law enforcement agencies and with other agencies of the criminal justice system; and increase citizen and employee confidence in the goals, objectives, policies, and practices of the agency. The Commission expects accredited agencies to maintain compliance and live by the letter and spirit of the standards. There is a presumption on the part of the Commission that agencies operate in compliance with their written directives. Successful agencies, then, focus single-mindedly upon complying with standards in a manner that most effectively meets the needs of their individual agency and the citizens they serve. The agency must consider its mission, its legally mandated responsibilities, and the demands of its service community in determining which standards are applicable to it and how it will comply with applicable standards

To maintain accredited status, the accredited agency must remain in compliance with applicable standards. The agency submits annual reports to the Commission attesting to continued compliance and reporting changes or difficulties experienced during the year, including actions taken to resolve noncompliance. If necessary, the Commission reserves the right to schedule interim hearings to consider continuing accredited status if noncompliance becomes a serious issue. At the conclusion of the three-year period, the Commission offers the agency an opportunity to repeat the process and continue accredited status into the future.

To contact the Accreditation Manager call: 817-447-5300, ext. 316.