WPD SET TO EARN FIRST-EVER ACCREDITATION

The Westerville Division of Police (WPD) is expecting its first-ever accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA®), a journey Chief Charles Chandler says is meeting the community’s expectations of a professional, well-managed police department.

“Becoming CALEA-accredited was one of my first priorities when I became Chief,” said Chief Chandler. “It means we have met the gold standard for professional standards among public safety agencies, which has always been true about WPD. Now we are close to having the credential to formalize it.”

CALEA was created in 1979 as a credentialing authority through the joint efforts of law enforcement’s major executive associations, including the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP); National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE); National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA) and the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF). Accreditation is a voluntary process; CALEA establishes the set of standards that feature the following:

Comprehensive and uniform written directives that clearly define authority, performance, and responsibilities.

Reports and analyses to make fact-based and informed management decisions.

Preparedness to address natural or human-made critical incidents.

Community relationship-building and maintenance. q Independent review by subject matter experts.

Continuous pursuit of excellence through annual reviews and other assessment measures.

Chief Chandler assigned the lengthy accreditation process to WPD’s Professional Standards Bureau. Assistant Chief Holly Murchland, Lieutenant Brian Spoon and Officer Dan Pignatelli helped manage the application, submissions and on-site evaluations. Through their work, WPD was found compliant with 181 CALEA program standards. These standards include 600 components in total, all met by WPD. Additionally, WPD policies and proofs were validated, and the department successfully passed two assessments (one on-site) with reports from four independent assessors.

The next steps occur in November, says Chief Chandler. The WPD accreditation team is scheduled to appear before the Commission at their virtual conference when WPD’s status is expected to be announced.

“We’re excited to celebrate this, and then continue the process to protect the credential,” said Chief Chandler. “Our cycle for compliance is ongoing, so we have an annual remote assessment for all standards and we’ll host an on-site assessment every fourth year.”

When officially announced in November, WPD will be eligible to use the CALEA seal, a mark reserved for use by only accredited agencies that provides international recognition of WPD’s commitment to continuous development and the professional delivery of public safety services.

Westerville City Manager Monica Irelan points to the significance of the accomplishment as part of a modern, high-functioning police agency.

“This department is very serious about its responsibilities in training, certifications and overall professionalism, and pursuing accreditation was a major commitment,” said Irelan. “I’m so proud of WPD and its commitment to excellence and to this community. Being CALEA accredited is going to open new opportunities for our officers to stay on the frontlines of credentialed community policing.”

From left: Officer Dan Pignatelli, Assistant Chief Holly Murchland, Chief Charles Chandler and Lieutenant Brian Spoon