The Gahanna Division of Police was awarded national accreditation on Saturday, November 15 by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) in the Advanced Law Enforcement program. This is the Division’s first award of national accreditation.
Following a multi-year self-assessment phase and a meticulous site-based assessment of community engagement, policy, procedures, equipment and facilities by CALEA assessors, Gahanna Division of Police Chief Jeffrey B. Spence, Deputy Chief of Police Jeffrey Lawless, Director of Public Safety Tim Becker, Mayor Laurie Jadwin, and Compliance and Program Manager Stacey Morris attended the CALEA conference in Jacksonville, Florida. They went before a panel made up of members of CALEA’s Board of Commissioners, where the Commissioners reviewed all findings and determined the agency’s accreditation status before recommending an advanced accreditation award be granted.
Following the hearing, CALEA President Matthew Packard and Executive Director Craig Hartley awarded the Gahanna Division of Police with accreditation during a celebratory banquet, signifying excellence in public safety and commitment to community.
“This achievement is truly a testament to the dedication and hard work of Deputy Chief Lawless and Compliance and Program Manager Morris — but really, it’s a department-wide success,” said Chief Spence. “From our officers in the field to our Communications Technicians, civilian professional staff, the Mayor’s Office, Human Resources, IT, and Finance — everyone had a hand in making this possible. We made a deliberate effort not only to pursue our first accreditation, but also to reach for advanced certification — CALEA’s highest level of recognition — all at once. This process confirmed that the systems and practices we’ve worked so hard to build truly represent the best in law enforcement. Accreditation doesn’t mark the end of the journey; it’s the foundation for continued improvement and excellence.”
The Division now moves into CALEA’s four-year accreditation cycle that includes four annual remote, web-based file reviews and a site-based assessment in the fourth year.
“I am extremely proud of the work that the Gahanna Division of Police invested in achieving advanced accreditation by CALEA,” said Director Becker. “This achievement demonstrates that the Division meets or exceeds hundreds of standards demonstrating the best practices in law enforcement. The ongoing commitment to excellence means that our agency must continually evaluate and perform at the highest levels, affirming the great work of the men and women of the Division and their service to the community.”
“Earning national accreditation through CALEA is a significant achievement that reflects the professionalism, transparency, and commitment of our Division of Police,” added Mayor Jadwin. “I am especially proud of the leadership within the Division for proactively pursuing advanced accreditation from the outset and holding themselves to the highest national standards. For our residents, this recognition is more than a badge of honor; it means validated best practices, enhanced accountability, and a continued focus on building community trust. This achievement reinforces what we already know – that our Gahanna officers are dedicated to keeping our community safe, responsive, and well-served.”
In 1979, the Commission was created through the combined efforts of four major law enforcement organizations; the International Association of Chiefs of Police, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, National Sheriffs’ Association and the Police Executive Research Forum.
The purpose of the Commission is to develop standards based on international best practices in public safety, and to establish and administer the accreditation process. The accreditation process is how a public safety agency voluntarily demonstrates how it meets professionally recognized criteria for excellence in management and service delivery.
“This award of accreditation does not come easy,” said CALEA President Packard. “Agencies must go through a rigorous review and evaluation of their organization and then implement the necessary policy and procedure changes. The process does not stop at that point. By voluntarily choosing to seek CALEA accreditation, the agency commits to an ongoing review of adherence to CALEA’s standards. Each community with CALEA accredited agencies should feel confident that their public safety organization is going above and beyond and operating under the highest standards in public safety.”
Benefits of Accreditation
Greater Accountability Within the Agency - Accreditation standards give the Chief Executive Officer a proven management system of written directives, sound training, clearly defined lines of authority, and routine reports that support decision making and resource allocation.
Staunch Support from Government Officials - Accreditation provides objective evidence of an agency’s commitment to excellence in leadership, resource management, and service-delivery. Thus, government officials are more confident in the agency’s ability to operate efficiently and meet community needs.
Increases Community Advocacy - Accreditation embodies the precepts of community-oriented policing. It creates a forum in which police and citizens work together to prevent and control crime. This partnership helps citizens understand the challenges confronting law enforcement and gives law enforcement clear direction about community expectations.
Improved Employee Morale - Accreditation is a coveted award that symbolizes professionalism, excellence, and competence. It requires written directives and training to inform employees about policies and practices; facilities and equipment to ensure employee safety; and processes to safeguard employee rights. Employees take pride in their agency, knowing it represents the very best in public safety.
Controlled Liability Insurance Costs - Accredited status makes it easier for agencies to purchase liability insurance; allows agencies to increase the limit of their insurance coverage more easily; and, in many cases, results in lower premiums.