Col. Robert Evanchick, commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police, announced that the department was recently awarded Law Enforcement Accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. This is the ninth consecutive time PSP has received CALEA accreditation, which remains in effect for four years.
Accreditation facilitates the creation, verification and maintenance of high-quality policies and procedures through voluntary compliance with a body of best practices and performance metrics. CALEA-accredited agencies continually self-evaluate their policies and procedures to maintain compliance with over 450 applicable standards. The decision to accredit is rendered by a governing body of 21 commissioners following a public hearing and review of all reporting documentation. CALEA conducts compliance reviews of accredited agencies annually, with on-site visits occurring every four years.
“CALEA accreditation is one way for our department to demonstrate its commitment to continuous improvement and transparency,” said Evanchick. “It is made possible through the hard work and dedication to service and professionalism exemplified daily by the men and women of the Pennsylvania State Police.”
CALEA is a nonprofit, non-governmental organization created in 1979 through the joint efforts of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, National Sheriffs’ Association, and Police Executive Research Forum. Its accreditation programs are designed to improve the delivery of public safety services and recognize professional excellence.
In addition to CALEA accreditation, PSP also participates in the Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission. The program developed by the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association, began in 2002.
Visit psp.pa.gov for more information.
