The Pasco Police Department has achieved national accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA).
On Saturday, May 4, officials from the Pasco Police Department completed the final phase of the process where they met with CALEA Commissioners in Huntsville, AL. The Commissioners unanimously approved Pasco for their Advanced Law Enforcement Accreditation.
CALEA represents the “gold standard” in the law enforcement profession, encompassing the recognized best practices and documentation for all common aspects of police work. The application, review, on-site audit, and final hearing approval is a process that typically takes two to three years to work through, and recertification is required every four years to maintain the status.
This is in addition to state accreditation in 2016 of the Department by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC), which was a similar process, but not as extensive.
The Pasco Police Department is now one of only eight CALEA-accredited law enforcement agencies in Washington State.
Nationally, only about 5% of law enforcement agencies currently hold this prestigious standard.
“The national accreditation effort required much of all members of the Pasco Police Department, sworn and civilian, and is a testament to their commitment to professionalism and their drive to provide the best service possible to the public,” said Pasco City Manager Dave Zabell, adding that “as one of only eight nationally accredited agencies in the State of Washington, I am proud that the PPD is setting the bar for law enforcement agencies regionally and across the state.”
The City of Pasco strives to continue improving the quality of life in the community.