Accreditation

What is Accreditation?

Accreditation is a way of helping institutions evaluate and improve their overall performance. The key to this successful system lies in the consensus of published and circulated standards containing a clear statement of professional objectives. There are two accreditation programs: Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC) program and the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) program. CALEA is a national program for all agencies and WASPC is just for Washington agencies.

Accreditation is voluntary and is open to all general law enforcement agencies having primary responsibility for the enforcement of Washington criminal and traffic laws. The Chehalis Police Department was initially accredited in 1995 under the WASPC program. Every four years our department must pass all strict standards to receive re-accreditation.  We have passed these standards each time and remain an accredited agency. For more information, view WASPC's Accreditation information at http://www.waspc.org/accreditation.

What are the benefits of Accreditation?

• Improved morale within the police agency.
• Increased credibility with governing body.
• Increased pride in the agency.
• Systemized self-assessment.
• Broadened perspectives.
• Intensified administrative and operational effectiveness.
• Confidence that recruitment, selection, and promotion processes are fair and equitable.
• Strengthened understanding of agency policies and procedures by all police personnel.
• Decreased susceptibility to litigation and costly civil court settlements.
• Potential reduction in premiums for liability insurance.
• Greater public confidence in the agency.
• State and local acknowledgment of professional competence.