CALEA awards MUPD flagship status
The recognition allows MUPD to help other programs improve.
Published Dec. 1, 2009
The MU Police Department received flagship status and re-accreditation during a conference held late November in Salt Lake City.
MUPD Chief Jack Watring said flagship status is awarded through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. When a department receives flagship status, it is used to exemplify how a law enforcement agency should be operated.
"CALEA uses some departments as a showcase for other departments that are in the process of being accredited," Watring said. "It lets other departments look at our policies and procedures."
Because MUPD has flagship status, it is able to help other law enforcement agencies improve and now has more credentials, MUPD Capt. Brian Weimer said.
"People can come to us for assistance with accreditation because we're doing it right," Weimer said. "It's an extra feather in the cap."
Watring said the status also shows the administration MUPD is meeting its expectations.
"We can demonstrate to the administration that we are doing those things we need to do," Watring said.
MUPD has been accredited since 2001. Re-accreditation occurs every three years, Watring said. This was the first year MUPD was eligible to become a flagship agency. In order to become eligible, CALEA requires that the agency first receive two consecutive commendable accreditations, Watring said.
Along with MUPD, the Missouri State Highway Patrol also received re-accreditation and flagship status this year. The Highway Patrol has held a flagship position for several years and it strives to maintain that status, Highway Patrol Capt. Tim Hull said.
"It's very important to us," Hull said. "We continue to meet accreditation and to have the flagship label."
CALEA assesses law enforcement agencies based on equipment, promotions, personnel, facilities and other aspects, Hull said. In order to receive re-accreditation, agencies must maintain at least 80 percent compliance with the 357 requirements.
"It's pretty comprehensive," Hull said.
The Highway Patrol had 100 percent compliance this re-accreditation term, Hull said.
Watring said CALEA also observes the execution of guidelines to ensure law enforcement agencies are doing the things they're supposed to be doing.
"It's one thing to write policies and procedures and another thing to follow them," Watring said. "We have to prove that we are doing what our policies say."
Maintaining good standing with CALEA and remaining eligible for re-accreditation and a flagship position is an ongoing endeavor, Hull said.
"It's a continual process every day of every year," Hull said. "Policies and procedures are continually looked at."