The Brantford Police Service was awarded national re-accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) on Saturday, March 23, 2024.
The Brantford Police Service was first accredited in 2004, and following a multi-year self-assessment phase and a meticulous site-based assessment of community engagement, policy, procedures, equipment and facilities by CALEA assessors, the Brantford Police Service was required to appear before CALEA’s 21-member Board of Commissioners, where the commission reviewed all findings and determined the accreditation status.
The CALEA Commission voted to approve re-accreditation of the Brantford Police Service. Marcus Brown, President of CALEA, and W. Craig Hartley, Jr., Executive Director, formally awarded the Brantford Police Service with re-accreditation, signifying excellence in public safety and commitment to community. This is Brantford Police Service’s seventh award of national accreditation.
“Operating under the highest standards in public safety, I am extremely proud of the hard work and dedication provided by Brantford Police Service officers and civilian staff. CALEA accreditation demonstrates our continued commitment to providing exceptional service to our community,” said Police Chief Rob Davis, Brantford Police Service.
In 1979, the Commission was created through the combined efforts of four major law enforcement organizations: the International Association of Chiefs of Police, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, National Sheriffs’ Association, and the Police Executive Research Forum.
The purpose of CALEA’s Accreditation Programs is to improve the delivery of public safety services, primarily by maintaining a body of standards, developed by public safety practitioners, covering a wide range of up-to-date public safety initiatives; establishing and administering an accreditation process; and recognizing professional excellence.
Specifically, CALEA’s goals are to: Strengthen crime prevention and control capabilities; Formalize essential management procedures; Establish fair and nondiscriminatory personnel practices; Improve service delivery; Solidify interagency cooperation and coordination; and Increase community and staff confidence in the agency.
The CALEA Accreditation Process is a proven modern management model; once implemented, it presents the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), on a continuing basis, with a blueprint that promotes the efficient use of resources and improves service delivery—regardless of the size, geographic location, or functional responsibilities of the agency.
This accreditation program provides public safety agencies an opportunity to voluntarily demonstrate that they meet an established set of professional standards based on industry best practices and approved by an all-volunteer board of commissioners.