Scarsdale Police Department's National and State Accreditation Programs

In 1979, the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies was created through the combined efforts of four major law enforcement organizations: the International Association of Chiefs of Police, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, National Sheriffs' Association, and Police Executive Research Forum. These organizations continue to serve in an advisory capacity to the Commission and are responsible for appointing members of the Commission.

The Commission was formed for two reasons: to develop a set of law enforcement standards; and to establish and administer an accreditation process through which law enforcement agencies could demonstrate voluntarily that they meet professionally-recognized criteria for excellence in management and service delivery.

The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) has determined that the law enforcement practices of the Scarsdale Police Department are in compliance with the highest national standards. The Scarsdale Police Department received the formal award of National Accreditation in 1990 and was re-accredited in 1995, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2009, 2012, 2015 and most recently in March of 2018. The Scarsdale Police Department was named a Flagship Agency and a model for other agencies to follow by CALEA in 2006 and again in 2009. The Department received a Meritorious Service Award in 2006 and 2009 and was recognized as a "Premiere Law Enforcement Agency" for maintaining National Accreditation for 15 years or longer. In March of 2015 and again in March of 2018, CALEA awarded the Scarsdale Police Department their highest recognition, "Accreditation with Excellence" using their "Gold Standard Assessment" model. Click here to access CALEA's web site.

In 1986 a planning committee was formed to explore the possibility of a state accreditation program. Representatives from the State Chiefs Association, The State Sheriffs Association and the Division of Criminal Justice Services served on this committee. In 1987 enabling legislation was introduced in the State Senate and Assembly and the bill was signed into law in 1988. In 1989 the New York State Law Enforcement Accreditation Council met for the first time and the program became fully operational in December. In 1990 the first agencies in New York entered the program and were accredited.