FREMONT, Calif. – August 12, 2026 – The City of Fremont is proud to announce that the Fremont Police Department has received the prestigious Law Enforcement Accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). This recognition follows nearly two years of dedicated work led by Deputy Chief Lance Brede, and places FPD among a select group of police agencies worldwide whose policies and practices meet the highest standards in the profession.
The Fremont Police Department voluntarily took on the accreditation challenge to demonstrate its commitment to being a model police agency. This certification confirms the department's commitment to policing excellence, placing the Fremont Police Department among an elite group—just 5% of police agencies worldwide—that have earned CALEA Accreditation.
About CALEA Accreditation and Process
CALEA is regarded as the Gold Standard in public safety accreditation. The program is designed to improve the delivery of public safety services by maintaining a comprehensive body of standards, establishing and administering an accreditation process, and recognizing professional excellence. CALEA accreditation is voluntary and demonstrates an agency’s commitment to accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement. Participating agencies undergo rigorous self-assessment, community engagement, and external review to ensure compliance with internationally accepted standards for law enforcement excellence.
In July, City and Police leadership participated in a hearing before the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies in Omaha, Nebraska and testified regarding the department’s procedures and its commitment to achieving accreditation.
“The Fremont Police Department is now among just six municipal agencies statewide to earn the distinguished CALEA accreditation,” stated City Manager Karena Shackelford. “This achievement is a testament to the dedication and collaboration of our police officers, professional staff, City leadership, and the Fremont community. Their unwavering commitment to excellence and public trust ensures that Fremont upholds the highest standards, maintaining a safe and welcoming environment for all residents.”
“This inaugural accreditation reflects our strategic goals and reaffirms our dedication to Fremont, ensuring the community continues to receive police services of the highest standards.” said Police Chief Floyd Mitchell. “I am incredibly proud of the work that has taken place over the last two years and the department’s investment in achieving this significant milestone. This accreditation is a testament to the dedication and integrity of every member of FPD. We strive each day to serve our community with professionalism and compassion, and this recognition affirms our commitment to public safety and ethical policing. We will continue to lead by example, fostering trust, transparency, and partnership with our community.”
To achieve accreditation, policing agencies must demonstrate comprehensive policies, adopt practices that promote transparency and accountability, and establish safeguards to ensure ongoing professionalism and integrity. Throughout the process, the Fremont Police Department updated, modified, and fine-tuned numerous policies and procedures, which are available on the FPD website at https://public.powerdms.com/FremontPD/tree.
“The Fremont Police Department’s CALEA Accreditation reflects our City’s vision for a safe, inclusive, and thriving community and demonstrates our commitment to professionalism, accountability, and national best practices,” said Mayor Raj Salwan. “Fremont is proud to be a leader in public safety, and I commend the department for their unwavering dedication to serving our residents and businesses.”
Ongoing Commitment
CALEA accreditation is not a one-time achievement; it is an ongoing process every four years. FPD must continually review and meet policy standards, while providing annual proofs of compliance to demonstrate consistent adherence to CALEA standards. Maintaining accreditation requires sustained effort and emphasizes increased community advocacy, greater accountability within the agency, reduced risk and liability exposure, stronger defense against civil lawsuits, and robust support from government officials.
FPD’s achievement underscores its dedication to best practices, ethical policing, and community partnership. The department’s journey included a public comment portal, extensive policy review, and engagement with CALEA assessors. This recognition affirms FPD’s leadership in public safety and its commitment to serving Fremont with integrity and professionalism.
For more information about CALEA accreditation and FPD’s commitment to transparency, visit FPD’s Transparency Portal.
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CONTACT :
Amy Gee
Public Affairs Manager
Fremont Police Department
510-790-6967
[email protected]
Geneva Bosques
Director of Communications and Legislative Affairs
City of Fremont
510-284-4094
[email protected]
Fremont Police Department
[email protected]
