FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 08, 2009


Missouri Capitol Police achieves accreditation recognition status


The Department of Public Safety announces that Missouri Capitol Police has achieved prestigious “recognition” status from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA).  The recognition follows Capitol Police’s successful completion of a process of thorough agency wide self-evaluation, an exacting outside review by an independent assessor and an examination of Capitol Police standards and practices by a CALEA panel of law enforcement professionals.
“Chief Todd Hurt and the officers and staff of Missouri Capitol Police worked hard to achieve this recognition,” said Department of Public Safety Director John M. Britt.  “The employees and visitors to the Capitol Complex are fortunate to be served and protected by such a professional law enforcement agency.  CALEA’s standards are exacting and accreditation recognition status means the department performs all its duties with a level of excellence.”
On Nov. 21, Missouri Capitol Police was informed it had met the requirements of the CALEA Recognition Program.  Achieving CALEA recognition status is the culmination of nearly three years of policy refinement and an extensive review of police practices by Missouri Capitol Police.  The accreditation period lasts for three years, and will be subject to review November, 2012.  Capitol Police has set a goal of reaching CALEA full “Law Enforcement Accreditation Status” over the next three years.
Missouri Capitol Police Chief Todd Hurt said, “Achieving accreditation recognition status from CALEA took the commitment of the entire department.  It means Capitol Police meets rigorous standards in everything from policing and community service to record keeping and statistical analysis.”
The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies is an independent, non-profit organization based in Fairfax, Virginia.  Accreditation is a process used by professional law enforcement agencies to facilitate the creation, verification, and maintenance of policies and procedures.  This is done through voluntary compliance with a collection of recognized and accepted performance standards.  The CALEA standards address all aspects of law enforcement, operational support, organization, relationships with other agencies, personnel administration, etc.
Agencies in the accreditation process conduct continual, intensive and candid self-evaluations of their policies and procedures to maintain compliance with all applicable mandatory standards, and at least 80 percent of applicable “other than mandatory” standards.  Every three years, member agencies must also undergo an on-site reassessment of their policies, procedures, personnel, facilities, and equipment by CALEA assessors.

Approximately 1,000 agencies from the US, Canada, Mexico, Barbados, and Bermuda participate in CALEA credentialing programs.  Thirty-one Missouri agencies are involved in the CALEA accreditation or recognition processes.

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For more information, call 573-751-5432 or e-mail mike.oconnell@dps.mo.gov