Accreditation
In 2003, the Fairfield Police Department received its first award of accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). Accreditation is a coveted award that symbolizes excellence and a commitment to continual improvement. The standards established by CALEA assure the community that its police department meets specific criteria established by a national governing body overseen by law enforcement, business and government leaders.
"Our vision is to be recognized as The Standard for police service by our peers and community," said Chief Mike Dickey. Accreditation is not an award to be framed and forgotten. It requires continuous accountability to our community and our profession."
CALEA has established 480 standards that provide guidance in nine areas:
- Law enforcement role, responsibilities and relationships.
- Organization, management and administration, including training.
- Personnel structure, including recruitment, selection and evaluation.
- Law enforcement operations, including investigations and special operations.
- Operations support including records, communications, property, evidence.
- Traffic operations.
- Prisoner and court-related activities.
- Auxiliary and technical services.
Agencies desiring to remain accredited must submit annual reports that document continuing compliance with standards. Every three years, the agency must also submit to an inspection by assessors who spend four days on-site conducting a thorough review of the agency's activities.
In April 2009, an assessment team conducted an inspection of the Fairfield Police Department to insure continuing compliance with standards. As part of their review, the assessors interviewed employees, held a public hearing for input from the community, and observed many of the activities of individual employees. Their report was reviewed by the Commission which approved the third award of accreditation to the Fairfield Police Department in July 2009. The next review will take place in April 2012.