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CALEA Compliance
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office was first accredited in 2002 and 2005. In 2007, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office was reaccredited and recognized as a Flagship Agency and the largest law enforcement agency in Texas to be accredited. Accreditation is awarded for a period of three years and requires a continuing commitment from the accredited agency. The status is similar to that of universities, hospitals and other professional institutions. During the reaccreditation process CALEA assessors conducted on-site inspections and reviews of the Sheriff’s Office policies, procedures and equipment.
The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) is an independent accrediting authority developed in 1979 by the four major law enforcement executive associations, who represent about 80 percent of the United States law enforcement profession. They are the International Association of Chiefs of Police; the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives; the National Sheriffs’ Association; and the Police Executive Research Forum, all of which continue to serve in an advisory capacity. CALEA has 21 board of directors – 11 of whom represent public safety agencies and 10 from the public and private sectors.
CALEA was established for two reasons: to develop a set of law enforcement standards, and to establish and administer an accreditation process through which law enforcement agencies could demonstrate voluntarily that they meet professionally recognized criteria for excellence in management and service delivery. Currently, over 900 public safety agencies are enrolled in some stage of the CALEA Process.
In August 2006, the Communications Division of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office underwent their initial accreditation review. The Communications Division was accessed independently of previously reviewed standards from the Law Enforcement Accreditation process. In November 2006, the Communications Division was awarded their Public Safety Communications Accreditation. They will undergo reaccreditation in August 2009 and are currently the largest accredited Public Safety Communications organization in the State of Texas.
The CALEA Public Safety Communications Accreditation Program provides a communications center, or the communications unit of a public safety agency, with a process to systemically review and internally assess their operations and procedures. Since the first CALEA Communication Accreditation Award was granted in 1999, the program has become the primary method for a communications agency to voluntarily demonstrate their commitment to excellence. The standards upon which the Public Safety Communications Accreditation Program is based reflect the current thinking and experience of public safety communications executives and accreditation experts. APCO International (Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials International, Inc.), the leading communications membership association, was a partner in the development of CALEA’s Standards for Public Safety Communications Agencies© and its Accreditation Program. This relationship continues today as APCO recognizes the achievements of CALEA Accredited Public Safety Communications agencies and supports accreditation.
This continuing commitment to excellence demonstrates the Harris County Sheriff’s Office’s dedication to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world as we provide service to our community and those who have empowered us to protect and serve them.
JUSTICE THROUGH EXCELLENCE, DILIGENCE AND INTEGRITY
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