CALEA Advanced Law Enforcement Accreditation is a status of achievement awarded to a police agency which is able to prove that it complies in both policy and practice with nearly 200 different professional standards.
The Barnegat Police Department became the first agency in the history of Ocean County to be awarded CALEA Advanced Law Enforcement Accreditation when it was found to be in full compliance with the standards in November of 2011. Our agency was awarded its second re-accreditation in 2014, its third re-accreditation in 2017, and its fourth re-accreditation in 2021.
The difficulty in achieving CALEA Advanced Law Enforcement Accreditation is evidenced by some simple statistics. Of the nearly five-hundred police departments in the state, only eight have received Law Enforcement Accreditation. Additionally, there are no other CALEA Law Enforcement accredited agencies in either Ocean or Atlantic counties.
What are the Benefits of Accreditation?
Accountability: CALEA standards give the Chief of Police a proven management system of written directives, sound training, clearly defined lines of authority, and routine reports that support decision-making and resource allocation.
Reduced Risk and Liability Exposure: Barnegat Township receives a reduction in liability insurance fees and deductibles because of the department’s accredited status.
Stronger Defense Against Civil Lawsuits: Accredited agencies are better able to defend themselves against civil lawsuits. Also, many agencies report a decline in legal actions against them once they become accredited.
Increased Community Support: Accreditation embodies the precepts of Community Oriented Policing. It creates a forum in which law enforcement agencies and citizens work together to prevent and control challenges confronting law enforcement and provides clear direction about community expectations.