Accreditation compels an agency to operate within specific guidelines. It requires accountability. It makes the agency adopt nationally recognized practices of quality in the law enforcement field. It improves agency morale and prevents an agency from slipping into mediocrity. The purpose of accreditation is to provide law enforcement agencies an opportunity to demonstrate voluntarily that they meet an established set of professional standards.
Accreditation is a self-improvement process for law enforcement agencies.
Accreditation sets and meets standards to achieve national goals while maintaining local control. The thrust of accreditation is self-improvement and service. A paid staff, consisting mostly of retired law enforcement officers, handles the everyday business at the Commission's headquarters. Increase law enforcement agency capabilities to prevent and control crime. Increase departmental effectiveness and efficiency in the delivery of law enforcement services.