Milton Police Receives National Re-Accreditation

MILTON, GA -- After a rigorous three-year process, the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies has awarded the Milton Police Department with re-accreditation. The city was formally recognized July 29 during CALEA's summer conference held in Providence, Rhode Island.

The department was first accredited in 2014, and the re-certification process must be completed every four years. The extensive CALEA preparation is led by the department's Accreditation Manager Katherine Fies, in conjunction with Milton's Police Chief Rich Austin. The extensive review involves an audit of the policies, procedures and practices of the agency in accordance with legal requirements and best practices.

CALEA certification requirements were developed by public safety practitioners, and the accreditation process ensures that professional standards and decision-making processes are upheld. Milton is one of only 754 agencies who've received national accreditation from CALEA, Chief Austin notes.

"CALEA-accredited departments have to comply with hundreds of standards in order to obtain and maintain certification status," he added. "It's considered the gold standard of law enforcement and it's made possible through the tireless efforts of our entire department staff."

Earlier this year, Milton police hosted a team of two assessors who conducted the audit, and during last week's conference, agency representatives appeared before the CALEA Commission to answer any additional questions and officially receive re-certification.

"We are proud of the department's efforts to secure re-certification," said Milton Mayor Joe Lockwood. "Third-party recognition of this level only serves as further validation of the department's commitment to the community they serve."

Established in 1979 by the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, the National Sheriffs’ Association and the Police Executive Research Forum, CALEA is recognized internationally as the key credentialing authority for law enforcement agencies. For more information, visit www.calea.org.

Image via city of Milton