We Practice the Best Police Practices at a High
Standard of Professionalism
The Oshkosh Police Department is both a nationally and state accredited police agency. We are accredited through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) and the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Accreditation Group (WILEAG). In Wisconsin, there are only 7 police agencies that have earned CALEA accreditation and only 16 police agencies that have earned WILEAG accreditation.
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Accredited police agencies show compliance to approximately 443 standards of professional police practices and represent the best in police services. The standards address six major law enforcement subjects, including: (1) Role, responsibilities and relationships with other agencies; (2) Organization, management and administration; (3) Personnel administration; (4) Law Enforcement operations, operational support and traffic law enforcement; (5) Prisoner and court related services; and (6) Auxiliary and technical services.
The period of CALEA accreditation is three years. The Oshkosh Police Department earned accreditation status in November 1994. We earned our first re-accreditation status in November of 1999. We recently earned our second re-accreditation status in November 2002 at the Portland, Oregon CALEA Conference. We are one of only approximately 500 police agencies in the United States and Canada to be a CALEA accredited police department.
Benefits of Accreditation
Recognition for Excellence
Accreditation is a coveted award that symbolizes professionalism, excellence and competence. The community and police department can take pride in their department, knowing it represents the very best in law enforcement.
Increased Community Advocacy
Accreditation embodies the precepts of community-oriented policing. It creates a forum in which police and citizens work together to prevent and control crime. This partnership helps citizens understand the challenges confronting law enforcement, and gives law enforcement clear direction about community expectations.
Greater Accountability with the Agency
Accreditation standards give the Chief Executive Officer a proven management system of written directives, sound training, clearly defined lines of authority and routine reports that support decision making and resource allocation.
Stronger Defense Against Lawsuits and Citizen Complaints
Accredited agencies are better able to defend themselves against lawsuits and citizen complaints. Many agencies report a decline in legal actions against them once they become accredited.
Support from Government Officials
Accreditation provides objective evidence of an agency's commitment to excellence in leadership, resource management and service delivery. Thus, government officials are more confident in the agency's ability to operate efficiently and meet community needs.
Controlled Liability Insurance Costs
Accredited status may make it easier for agencies to purchase police liability insurance; may allow agencies to increase the limit of their insurance coverage more easily; and, in many cases, may result in lower premiums.
Chief David Erickson and Lt. Scott Greuel accepting the accreditation award from CALEA commissioners in Portland, Oregon.
For more information about Accreditation,
Contact
Lt. Cyndi Thaldorf
Oshkosh Police Department
Planning & Research Division
(920) 236-5758
cthaldorf@ci.oshkosh.wi.us
