Full Notification

Kennesaw Police Department Awarded CALEA Re-accreditation

Kennesaw, Ga. (November 20, 2012) – The Kennesaw Police Department has been awarded re-accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc., (CALEA). Chief William Westenberger was among the police officials who received the coveted designation at the CALEA fall conference on November 17 in Jacksonville, Florida.

Along with Chief Westenberger, the hearing was attended by Mayor Mark Mathews, Councilman Tim Killingsworth, City Manager Steve Kennedy, Deputy Chief Barbara Tolbert, and Accreditation Manager Sergeant Brice Barth.

“The commitment and dedication of the Kennesaw Police Department is exemplary,” said Mayor Mathews. “I was very proud of the teamwork it took to achieve this accomplishment.”

Chief Westenberger stated “Our success is made possible by the hard work of the men and women of our agency, the support of our city leaders and community, and partnerships with other great public safety servants.”

CALEA was established as a credentialing authority in 1979 through the joint efforts of major law enforcement executive associations such as the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), National Sheriff’s Association (NSA) and the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF). Its goals are to improve the delivery of public safety services by developing and maintaining a body of standards, establishing and administering an accreditation process for law enforcement agencies, and recognizing professional excellence in public safety. Of the roughly 23,000 law enforcement agencies in the United States, only about 1,200 have been awarded CALEA accreditation.

The Kennesaw Police Department received its first international accreditation in 2009, after an on-site assessment. Immediately after the initial accreditation was complete, preparations began for the 2012 on-site assessment which was conducted this past August. During this three year process, the department’s General Orders, policies and procedures are reviewed to ensure they all met applicable CALEA standards. The on-site assessment was conducted by a team of out-of-state certified CALEA assessors. They visited the police department and examined all aspects of the department’s policies, procedures, management, operations and support services. The assessment team interacted with department personnel by riding along with patrol officers and conducting interviews with sworn and civilian personnel. Various community leaders were also interviewed.

During the assessment, the team also took comments from the public in a public session and by telephone to give residents an opportunity to comment on the department’s ability to comply with CALEA standards. The CALEA Standards Manual was made available for public review.

The team found that the department was in compliance with all 480 applicable standards. Following the evaluation process, the leader prepared an assessment report for the CALEA Commission to review. At the November 17 hearing in Jacksonville, the commission thoroughly questioned Chief Westenberger. After confirming that the department is in compliance with applicable standards, the CALEA Commission awarded accreditation.

A CALEA accreditation can limit the department’s exposure to liability risk because the accreditation demonstrates that a team of independent outside CALEA-trained assessors has verified that the department meets internationally recognized standards. CALEA accreditation will also assist in the department’s relentless pursuit of professional excellence and its commitment to providing the citizens of the City of Kennesaw with the highest quality of public safety service.

To continue to remain accredited, the department must maintain compliance with the applicable standards and undergo a new CALEA assessment every three years.

For more information regarding the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. please write the commission at the address above, call 800-368-3757 or (703) 352-4225 or email [email protected]