The Gulf Shores Police Department was awarded national accreditation on Nov. 16 by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Inc. (CALEA) in the Law Enforcement program.

"Two years ago, our community survey showed residents were very satisfied with our police services, but we didn't want to rest our laurels. We wanted to find ways to improve and take our services to the next level," Police Chief Edward Delmore. "That's why we chose to pursue accreditation through CALEA. Having an objective third party verify our policies and procedures has allowed us to take our service to the community to an even higher level."

Following a multi-year self-assessment phase and a meticulous site-based assessment of community engagement, policy, procedures, equipment and facilities by CALEA assessors, Delmore and Accreditation Manager Donald Fuller attended the CALEA conference in Jacksonville, Florida. Each agency being reviewed, goes before CALEA's 21-member Board of Commissioners where the commission reviews all findings and determines the agencies' accreditation status.

The evening of the hearing, during the celebration banquet, CALEA President Marlon Lynch and Executive Director Craig Hartley awarded the department with accreditation, signifying excellence in public safety and commitment to community, according to a press release.

"With this accreditation, the Gulf Shores Police Department has set a new standard for law enforcement in our region. It's a testament to the forward-thinking leadership of Chief Delmore and his team. I am honored to serve as mayor of a city that is so clearly committed to the safety and well-being of its citizens," Gulf Shores Mayor Robert Craft said.

This is Gulf Shores Police's first award of national accreditation. The department now moves into CALEA's four-year accreditation cycle that includes four annual remote, web-based file reviews and a site-based assessment in the fourth year.

"This award of accreditation does not come easy," Lynch said. "Agencies must go through a rigorous review and evaluation of their organization and then implement the necessary policy and procedure changes. The process does not stop at that point. By voluntarily choosing to seek CALEA accreditation, the agency commits to an ongoing review of adherence to CALEA's standards. Each community with CALEA accredited agencies should be feel confident that their public safety organization is going above and beyond and operating under the highest standards in public safety.

According to the press release, the benefits of accreditation include:

• Controlled liability insurance costs — Accredited status makes it easier for agencies to purchase liability insurance; allows agencies to increase the limit of their insurance coverage more easily; and, in many cases, results in lower premiums.
• Stronger defense against lawsuits and citizen complaints — Accredited agencies are better able to defend themselves against lawsuits and citizen complaints. Many agencies report a decline in legal actions against them once they become accredited.
• Greater accountability within the agency — Accreditation standards give the chief executive officer a proven management system of written directives, sound training, clearly defined lines of authority and routine reports that support decision making and resource allocation.
• Support from government officials — Accreditation provides objective evidence of an agency's commitment to excellence in leadership, resource management and service-delivery. Thus, government officials are more confident in the agency's ability to operate efficiently and meet community needs.
• Increases community advocacy — Accreditation embodies the precepts of community-oriented policing. It creates a forum in which police and citizens work together to prevent and control crime. This partnership helps citizens understand the challenges confronting law enforcement and gives law enforcement clear direction about community expectations.
• Improved employee morale — 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 employee safety; and processes to safeguard employee rights. Employees take pride in their agency, knowing it represents the very best in public safety.