Accreditation

What is Accreditation?

The accreditation process is an audit to determine if the police department's operational policies, written or unwritten, comply with the standards to which the Mayor, Police Chiefs, supervisors and officers are held accountable by the courts and the public in the everyday conduct of their business. By having an accredited Police Department, a Mayor can be reasonably confident that the agency is doing things right.

The Richmond Indiana Police Department became accredited on November 22, 1999. The Police Department is working towards the goal of re-accreditation at this time. The re-accreditation audit by CALEA will occur in August of 2002.

Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement

The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA), was established as an independent accrediting authority in 1979 by the four major law enforcement membership associations: International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP); National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE); National Sheriffs' Association (NSA); and Police Executive Research Forum (PERF). The Executive Directors of these four associations appoint members to the Commission annually; an endorsement requires a majority vote for each appointment.

The Purpose of the Commission

The overall purpose of the Commission's accreditation program is to improve delivery of law enforcement service by offering a body of standards, developed by law enforcement practitioners, covering a wide range of up-to-date law enforcement topics. It recognizes professional achievements by offering an orderly process for addressing and complying with applicable standards

The Voluntary Nature of the Accreditation Program

Successful completion of the accreditation program requires commitment from all levels of the organization, starting with the chief executive officer. To foster commitment, a decision to participate should be voluntary. To this end, the Commission insures that law enforcement accreditationTM is and will continue to be a voluntary program.

Benefits

Besides the recognition of obtaining international excellence, the primary benefits of accreditation include controlled liability insurance costs, administrative improvements, greater accountability from supervisors, increased governmental and community support.

Internal Affairs

What is Internal Affairs

Internal Affairs is responsible for investigating complaints made by the public against police officers. Internal Affairs investigate matters arising from within the police department concerning the policies and procedures of the police department.

Commendation Procedure

If you wish to commend the actions of any Richmond Police Department employee, you can: ask directly to speak to the employee's supervisor and verbally communicate you comments, or you can write a letter to the Chief of Police explaining your comments.

Commendations received by the Chief of Police for any Richmond Police Department employee will result in advising the employee of your gratitude, and in permanently recording his / her action in the employee's file. An awards committee reviews all commendations, and in appropriate award may follow.

Complaint Procedure

The Divisional Supervisors have the responsibility for receiving, processing and investigating allegations and complaints made against the Richmond Police Department. To insure the public's trust and maintain the Department's integrity the professional standards unit or assigned supervisor will conduct immediate and objective investigations of all complaints.

Contact Can Be Made

Commendations and / or complaints can be made by contacting the Richmond Police Department. Once your communication is received it will be forwarded to the appropriate personnel. Contact to the Richmond Police Department can be made at either:

Richmond Police Department
50 North 5th Street
Richmond, In. 47374

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(765) 983-7247