California Highway Patrol seeks reaccreditation

SACRAMENTO – The California Highway Patrol will seek public input in June as part of its assessment from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Inc., an internationally recognized nonprofit organization dedicated to improving law enforcement and public safety services.

The primary purpose of CALEA is to improve the delivery of public safety services by maintaining a comprehensive body of law enforcement standards, establishing and administering an accreditation process and recognizing professional excellence. The CHP, which has been accredited since 2010, is the largest state law enforcement agency in the United States to be accredited. The CHP Academy and Communications Centers are also accredited.

As a part of this assessment, members of the public are invited to comment by calling 916-843-4398 Tuesday, June 30, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Additionally, the public is invited to participate in a virtual public hearing Tuesday, June 30, beginning at 1 p.m.

The virtual public hearing, which will be conducted via Webex, will give members of the public an opportunity to interact with CALEA assessors, to provide commentary about the CHP or ask questions about the accreditation process. To participate in the virtual public hearing, email [email protected] no later than Thursday, June 25, at 5 p.m.

The public’s input is one component of a three-day virtual visit in June by a team of assessors from CALEA. During their visit, the CALEA assessors will verify the CHP’s overall compliance with a set of standards designed to ensure the department’s policies and procedures are consistent with law enforcement industry best practices. The assessors will remotely examine CHP Headquarters, the CHP Academy in West Sacramento, and various administrative and field commands to examine all aspects of the department’s policies, procedures, administration, operations and support services.

“We welcome the accreditation process,” Warren Stanley, CHP commissioner, who has led the Department since 2017, said. “The input we receive from the public and the assessment team gives the CHP direction and helps us continuously improve. The CALEA assessment is a valuable resource for the department.”

The CALEA accreditation process is an additional avenue in which the CHP ensures it is upholding its mission of providing the highest level of safety, service and security to the people of California.

Submitted by the California Highway Patrol.