National Accreditation

In November 2003 the Garden City Police Department was Nationally Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc (CALEA). Garden City is one of only twenty city police departments in the State of Georgia to posses this prestigious award.

Three assessors from across the United States came to to Garden City to evaluate the agency and its practices in detail. A report was then submitted to the Commission who, by unanimous vote, awarded Garden City Police Department with National Accreditation.

To be awarded National Accreditation is more than accepting an award; it is making a commitment to continual compliance with the highest standards of service. These standards increase agency performance, establish accountability throughout the department, and expand community advocacy.

Formed in 1979 by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), National Sheriff's Association (NSA), National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), and the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), CALEA was tasked to establish a set of standards directing law enforcement services. The standards were designed to increase professionalism in law enforcement and meet the ever-changing needs of our society. For more information on National Accreditation, please visit the CALEA website at www.calea.org.

 

State Certification

In July 2003 the Garden City Police Department was State Certified by the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police (GACP). Similar to National Accreditation, State Certification is a program designed to improve the administrative practices of the department and strengthen the service delivery to the community.

Originally developed in the mid 1990's by several state agencies and organizations, the State Certification program was designed to provide a professional development program to for departments who did not have the resources to pursue national accreditation.

Like Accreditation, the Garden City Police Department is required to maintain continued compliance with the standards set forth by the State Certification Committee. For more information on the State Certification Program please visit the GACP website at www.gachiefs.com.