Accreditation
The Canandaigua Police Department has been accredited through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) since 1993. CALEA is a national accreditation agency that provides law enforcement agencies an opportunity to demonstrate that they meet an established set of professional standards. However, there are costly fees associated with CALEA. This past year, the Canandaigua Police Department decided to cease its relationship with CALEA, and pursue New York State Accreditation. The New York State Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) offers a program more suitable to NYS law enforcement agencies, free of charge.
The NYS Law Enforcement Accreditation Program provides a comprehensive blueprint for effective, professional law enforcement. Program staff at the DCJS Office of Public Safety is prepared to make their knowledge, experience and resources available to help our agency become accredited.
New York's Law Enforcement Accreditation Program is designed to promote maximum input from both community and law enforcement leaders. The Accreditation Council, the State Division of Criminal Justice Services, the State Chief's and Sheriff's Associations, and the State Police all play an active role in the program's administration.
Principal Goals
The four principal goals of NYS Law Enforcement Accreditation Program are:
- To increase the effectiveness and efficiency of law enforcement agencies utilizing existing personnel, equipment and facilities to the extent possible
- To promote increased cooperation and coordination among law enforcement agencies and other agencies of the criminal justice system
- To ensure the appropriate training of law enforcement personnel
- To promote public confidence in law enforcement
On March 4, 2010 the Canandaigua Police Department received accreditation from the New York State Law Enforcement Accreditation Council.