At a city council meeting on March 25, city manager Ana Alvarez announced that the Hayward Police Department (HPD) has successfully completed its four-year CALEA Accreditation process, earning one of the highest distinctions available to American police departments. The award recognizes public safety agencies with a commitment to professional excellence.
“We seek to be a leader in law enforcement service delivery that ensures a safe, secure and desirable community,” a statement from HPD emphasized.
Out of approximately 18,000 law enforcement agencies across the United States, only about 5% are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). In California, just 14 agencies have achieved this prestigious status. HPD has now attained this accomplishment five times.
Referred to as “The Gold Standard in Public Safety,” CALEA was established in 1979 by a coalition of law enforcement organizations as an authoritative credentialing body. The CALEA Accreditation Program awards seals to public service agencies that meet over 400 nationally recognized best practices. These standards cover a broad spectrum of operational areas, including the use of force, patrol and investigation protocols, detainee and court-related services, and recruitment and hiring procedures, among others.
CALEA Accreditation is a voluntary process designed to enhance the operational effectiveness and service capacity of law enforcement agencies. It claims to serve as a tool for informed policy decisions and management, foster transparency and trust within the community, and provide a framework for ongoing self-assessment and continuous improvement.
