VALDOSTA, GA – Chief Brian Childress of the Valdosta Police Department proudly announces the department’s 5th reaccreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). The department was awarded reaccreditation status at the CALEA conference held in Schaumburg, Illinois July 23-26th, 2014. The department was initially accredited in 1999 and has maintained accreditation since that time. CALEA is a process in which law enforcement agencies can demonstrate voluntarily that they comply with national standards that enhance and encourage professional excellence. The Valdosta Police Department maintains compliance with 482 law enforcement related standards which serve as benchmarks for professionalism and service delivery in the field of law enforcement. The department is evaluated every three years for compliance with all applicable standards.
The Valdosta Police Department was awarded CALEA Flagship status in 2005 and 2008 which is indicative of an agency maintaining extraordinary compliance of CALEA standards and an agency that is recognized as the “best of the best” in the field of law enforcement. In 2011, CALEA introduced the “CALEA With Excellence” award which can be bestowed upon a department for their superlative performance during the accreditation period. The Valdosta Police Department was awarded CALEA With Excellence in 2011 and again at the July 2014 CALEA Conference. The department is extremely proud of receiving four consecutive awards based on distinguished performance as it is indicative of the Valdosta Police Department being a model agency of excellence and superior performance in the field of law enforcement. The department also received CALEA Meritorious status for being in the accreditation process for 15 years or more.
Accreditation increases an agency’s ability to prevent and control crime through more effective and efficient delivery of law enforcement services. It serves as a catalyst to increase citizen confidence in the policy, practice and performance of the Valdosta Police Department.
“I am very proud of the sworn and civilian employees of the police department. This is a difficult process and for the department to receive special recognition during the last four on-site inspections says a lot about the dedication of my employees. The department also thanks our city leadership and the community who support the department on a daily basis. This was truly a team effort by all”, said Chief Childress.
City Manager Larry Hanson stated, “This is a tremendous accomplishment and speaks volumes about the standing and professionalism of the Valdosta Police Department and its entire workforce.”
Source: Valdosta Police Department
