Law Enforcement Accreditation

Accredited by CALEA through March 2020, the Norton Shores Police Department remained in good standing by successfully completing regularly scheduled audits. In 2019, we began transitioning from CALEA to the Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission (MLEAC) in order to orient toward current trends and local issues. NSPD excitedly completed this rigorous process, and the initial accreditation process was completed on September 15th, 2020. Since the initial assessment, our agency has completed another three-year cycle of accreditation, and remains compliant with all MLEAC standards.

Accreditation is a progressive and time-proven way of helping law enforcement agencies calculate and improve their overall performance. The foundation of accreditation lies in the voluntary adoption of standards that contain a clear statement of professional objectives. Participating in accreditation requires agencies to conduct thorough self-analysis to determine which of their existing operations meets standards or not, and how those procedures can be modified so they do meet the objectives of the standards. Once these procedures are in place, a team of trained assessors verifies that applicable standards have been successfully implemented and the agency is then in compliance. Accreditation status represents a significant professional achievement, and acknowledges the implementation of written directives, policies, and procedures that are conceptually sound and operationally effective.

The Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police (MACP) and the Michigan Sheriff's Association (MSA) pursued this concept and developed a voluntary, state-wide law enforcement accreditation program for Michigan. This combined effort resulted in the formation of the Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission (MLEAC). The MLEAC consists of commissioners from law enforcement and other professions, and are appointed by the MACP, the MSA, and the Commission. Personnel from the MACP provide support services to the MLEAC and to agencies who are in the application process. The positive attitudes, effective training, and best practices of personnel employed by MLEAC agencies is reflected when they become compliant with all 108 standards of this program. Effective and comprehensive leadership is expressed through written directives and policy development, and is directly influenced by this program which reflects the delivery of professional police services. The MACP and the MSA believe that the Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation Program enhances the professionalism and effectiveness of the entire profession across the state.