Athens-Clarke County Police Department’s Communications Division Earns Fifth CALEA Accreditation

The Athens-Clarke County Police Department’s Communications Division was awarded CALEA Accreditation for the fifth time in late July. The Communications Division first achieved this accreditation in 2010 by adhering to over 200 standards specifically related to public safety communications. CALEA, which stands for the Commission of Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc., is responsible for this accreditation.

The re-accreditation process occurs every four years, during which the Police Department submits annual reports and documentation for review to ensure ongoing compliance with these standards. “Our re-accreditation is a testament to our Communications Division and their commitment to providing a high level of service to the Athens-Clarke County community. They receive over 110,000 calls annually, dispatching ACCPD officers, the Athens-Clarke County Fire and Emergency Services, and other public safety responders,” said ACCPD Field Operations Deputy Chief Keith Kelley.

This accreditation will remain in effect for four years, allowing the agency to retain all associated privileges. The CALEA Accreditation process begins with a thorough self-assessment, which includes reviewing the agency’s policies, practices, and processes against internationally accepted public safety standards. Public feedback is also collected to enhance community trust and engagement, and structured interviews are conducted with select agency personnel and other knowledgeable individuals to evaluate the agency’s effectiveness and service delivery capabilities.

A decision to grant accreditation is made by a governing body of 21 Commissioners after a public hearing and a review of all reporting documentation. Maintaining CALEA Accreditation is an ongoing process that requires continuous compliance with established standards to ensure the agency remains well-managed, transparent, and focused on community safety.