The Smithfield Town Council recognized the Smithfield Police Department for receiving Advanced National Accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) on March 21 in Reno, NV.
The Smithfield Police Department was evaluated by CALEA certified assessors in October 2014. The assessment culminated a three year process. During the process, the Department had to create and attain compliance to over 440 standards as recommended by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), the National Sheriffs Association (NSA), the National Orgnization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) and the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF).
The Smithfield Police Department became the 13th agency its size in North Carolina to become nationally accredited by CALEA.
The department will have to seek re-accreditation in the fall of 2017.
Called the “gold standard in public safety,” the CALEA accreditation is intended to increase the department’s professionalism, transparency to the community, and the public’s confidence.
Smithfield Town Manager Paul Sabiston said, “I’m very proud of them.”
