Accreditation

Accreditation StatusCALEA


 The Bismarck Police Department earned its first accreditation award in 1991 by the Commission on Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) and has maintained its accreditation status since that time. The Bismarck Police Department continues to achieve the meritorious award for advanced law enforcement and is currently in their eleventh accreditation cycle. Bismarck Police Department continues to be one of three agencies in the state of North Dakota that are accredited.


 



Process


In order to attain accreditation and have continued compliance, the police department must comply with standards set by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). These standards focus on best practices related to life, health, and safety procedures for the agency. The standards provide framework for addressing high risk issues within a contemporary environment and ensures officers are prepared to meet basic community needs and expectations all while managing critical events. The agency can prove these things by providing and completing:
 

  • A thorough review of all department general orders and written directives
  • Providing varying proofs of compliance
  • Inspections of our facilities
  • Interviews with department personnel
  • Reviewing suggestions and complaints from citizens who wish to express their views regarding our service to the community


 Being an accredited agency exemplifies the day-to-day professionalism displayed by the personnel of the Bismarck Police Department. We are currently scheduled for our quadrennial reaccreditation assessment in June 2025, and we are confident we will maintain an accredited status.


CALEA

The law enforcement accreditation program was the first credentialing program established by CALEA after its founding. It was originally developed to address what was seen as a need to enhance law enforcement as a profession and to improve law enforcement. That mission continues today. The program is open to all types of law enforcement agencies, on an international basis. It provides a process to systematically conduct an internal review and assessment of the agencies’ policies and procedures and adjust wherever necessary to meet a body of internationally accepted standards.
 

Advantages

Advantages of being a CALEA accredited agency are not only for the agency but also for the community the agency serves. 

  • CALEA requires an agency to develop a comprehensive, well thought out, uniform set of written directives. This is one of the most successful methods for reaching administrative and operational goals, while also providing direction to personnel.
  • CALEA standards provide the necessary reports and analysis a chief needs to make fact-based, informed management decisions.
  • CALEA requires a preparedness program be put in place, so an agency is ready to address natural or man-made unusual occurrences.
  • CALEA is a means for developing or improving an agency’s relationship with the community.
  • CALEA strengthens an agency’s accountability, both within the agency and the community, through a continuum of standards that clearly define authority, performance, and responsibilities.
  • Being CALEA accredited can limit an agency’s liability and risk exposure because it demonstrates that internationally recognized standards for law enforcement have been met, as verified by a team of independent outside CALEA trained assessors.
  • CALEA facilitates an agency's pursuit of professional excellence.