Representatives of Bedford Police received accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies at CALEA’s summer conference in Omaha, Neb., late last month. Shown from left are CALEA Commissioner Matthew Packard, Accreditation Manager Claire Doyle, Chief Daniel Douidi, Accreditation Manager and Records Clerk Monique Pliakos, Deputy Chief Michael Monahan, Lt. Stefan Swiadas and CALEA Executive Director Craig Hartley. Courtesy photo/Bedford Police Department

BEDFORD — Chief Daniel Douidi recently reported that the Bedford Police Department completed a years-long comprehensive review to become one of just 22 law enforcement agencies statewide to earn national accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies.

Accreditation is a rigorous process that ensures modern law enforcement agencies are using industry best practices. It enables police departments to improve accountability, reduce insurance costs and lawsuits as well as build credibility and engagement both internally and within the community.

CALEA was created in 1979 through the joint efforts of several of the largest organizations in law enforcement — 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’s accreditation program improves the delivery of services by strengthening crime prevention and control capabilities, formalizing essential management procedures, establishing fair and nondiscriminatory personnel practices, solidifying interagency cooperation and coordination as well as increasing community and staff confidence.

The process required years of reviewing policies and procedures to ensure they aligned with both CALEA and internal standards and required the department to use police reports, recordings, audits and other means to prove that it meets those standards.

Following an online assessment, a CALEA assessor conducted a three-day site visit at the Bedford Police Department to examine facilities, evidence handling, communications, and more. The Assessor also interviewed department members, residents of Bedford, teachers, Town Manager Rick Sawyer and members of the Town Council.

The process identified several flaws, which were corrected, but also identified several areas of strength within the department, which included the School Resource Officer program, community policing and the Crisis Intervention Team.

Following the on-site assessment, Bedford Police were invited to the summer CALEA Conference in Omaha, Neb., where four CALEA commissioners voted unanimously to award accreditation in late July.

Now that the department is accredited, it will undergo an annual online assessment, and an on-site assessment once every four years to maintain accreditation. Maintaining accreditation will require the department to continue adopting new best practices and taking numerous other steps to maintain accountability and professionalism.

“This is a proud accomplishment for the Bedford Police Department, the Town of Bedford, and, most importantly, the citizens we serve,” said Douidi. “This accreditation reflects the exceptional people who serve our community every day, and we are proud to accept this recognition on behalf of the entire department.”