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Contact: Hope Newkirk
Phone: 373-3689
Greensboro Police Department Recognized for Professional Excellence
GREENSBORO, NC -- (December 8, 2008) – For its commitment to professional excellence, the Greensboro Police Department (GPD) was awarded reaccreditation on Saturday, December 6 from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). This marks the sixth time since its initial accreditation in 1986 that GPD has received this recognition, which is granted on a three-year cycle.
“We are honored to receive reaccreditation status from CALEA once again,” said GPD Chief Tim Bellamy. “Each day we serve and protect the citizens of Greensboro in a professional manner and this designation reaffirms our commitment to doing just that.”
To receive reaccreditation from CALEA, the nation’s leading independent accrediting authority for law enforcement agencies, GPD had to undergo a comprehensive review of its organization, management, operations and administration by CALEA’s assessors, as well as by its own staff. GPD also had to comply with more than 400 professional standards set by CALEA that help strengthen crime prevention, improve service delivery and boost citizen and staff confidence in law enforcement. Two of those standards, the annual analysis of police vehicle pursuits and GPD’s multi-year plan, will be reviewed by CALEA in 2009 to ensure that they continue to meet the organization’s high principles.
CALEA’s Accreditation Program was developed to enhance law enforcement as a profession and to improve the delivery of public safety services by creating a national body of standards. It is the primary method for an agency to voluntarily demonstrate their commitment to excellence in the field.
City Manager Mitchell Johnson stated that the reaccreditation provides additional objective confirmation for the residents of Greensboro that their Police Department meets the highest standards in professional law enforcement. “I’m pleased but not at all surprised by the reaccreditation,” said Johnson. “We can all be proud of the men and women who wear the GPD uniform.”
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The City of Greensboro works in partnership with the community to build an increased quality of life for all residents by fostering an environment where inclusion, diversity, and trust are valued. As the seventh largest employer in Greensboro, the City has a dedicated professional staff of 2700 employees who maintain four core values of honesty, integrity, stewardship, and respect. The City of Greensboro is governed by a council-manager form of government where a mayor and eight council members act as the legislative body. For more information on the City of Greensboro, please visit us online at www.greensboro-nc.gov.
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