On November 19th, the Seattle Police Department was awarded accreditation status by the Washington State Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC). The Seattle Police Department currently possesses accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA), which it first obtained in November 2003.  CALEA reaccredited the Seattle Police Department in November 2006. 

According to WASPC, benefits of achieving accreditation status may include the following.

· Improved morale within the police agency.
· Increased credibility with governing body.
· Increased pride in the agency.
· Systemized self-assessment.
· Broadened perspectives.
· Intensified administrative and operational effectiveness.
· Confidence that recruitment, selection, and promotion processes are fair and equitable.
· Strengthened understanding of agency policies and procedures by all police personnel.
· Decreased susceptibility to litigation and costly civil court settlements.
· Potential reduction in premiums for liability insurance.
· Greater public confidence in the agency.
· State and local acknowledgment of professional competence.

For more information regarding Seattle Police accreditation, please visit our own Web site here.