In July 1988, the Edmonton Police Service became the first Canadian law enforcement agency to be awarded accredited status by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). The Edmonton Police Service attained re-accreditation status in 1993, 1998, 2001, 2004, and most recently, in 2007.
Accreditation provides objective evidence of our commitment to excellence in leadership, resource management and service delivery. This program provides the police service with a proven management system of written directives, sound training, clearly-defined lines of authority, and routine reports that support decision-making and resource allocation. Accreditation is a coveted award that symbolizes professionalism, excellence and competence. It requires written directives and training to inform employees about policies and practices; facilities and equipment to ensure employees' safety; and processes to safeguard employees' rights. Employees take pride in their police service, knowing it represents the very best in law enforcement.
2010 Re-certification
The Edmonton Police Service achieved re-accreditation in August 2010.
The Edmonton Police Service successfully attained certification under the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) in 1988. Since this initial certification, the EPS has maintained its CALEA status with six successful re-accreditation assessments in 93, 98, 01, 04, 07, 10.
The overall purpose of the accreditation program is to improve delivery of policing service on an international scale. Through offering a body of standards, developed by law enforcement practitioners, covering a wide range of up-to-date law enforcement topics, CALEA recognizes professionalism and consistency.
Successful completion of the accreditation program requires commitment from all levels of the organization. In addition to the recognition of obtaining international excellence, accreditation encourages administrative improvements, greater accountability from supervisors, as well as increased community support.
The Process
The accreditation process involves a comprehensive agency self-assessment of the 439 standards. The standards address six major law enforcement subjects:
- role, responsibilities, and relationships with other agencies;
- organization, management, and administration;
- personnel administration
- law enforcement operations, operational support, and traffic law enforcement;
- prisoner and court related services; and
- auxiliary and technical services.
After undergoing self-assessment, an on-site assessment is completed by a team of trained independent assessors. These CALEA assessors verify the agency's compliance with standards by checking its proofs and interviewing operations and management personnel. The assessors also conduct a public hearing to elicit citizens comments. Edmonton finished its last five-year accreditation period in 1998. Accreditation periods are now three years in duration. During this time, the agency must maintain compliance with the standards, and must submit annual reports attesting to this fact. Re-accreditation occurs at the end of this period, pending another successful on-site assessment and a hearing before the Commission. Through voluntary submission to the accreditation process, the Edmonton Police Service maintains external independent verification of its claims to policing excellence.