The City of Plano Police Department is proud to have been accredited by The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) since 1992. In November 2009, the Department was awarded special distinction as a CALEA Flagship Agency which designated Plano as an extraordinary example of excellence in Law Enforcement. A Meritorious Service award, given to agencies with 15 or more continuous years as an accredited agency, was also presented to the Plano Police Department at that time.

The Law Enforcement Accreditation Program was the first credentialing program established by CALEA after its founding. It was originally developed to address what was seen as a need to enhance law enforcement as a profession and to improve law enforcement. That mission continues today. It provides a process for the Plano Police Department to systematically conduct an internal review and assessment of the Department policies and procedures, and make adjustments wherever necessary to meet a body of 464 internationally accepted standards.

Since the first CALEA Accreditation Award was granted in 1984, the program has become the primary method for an agency to voluntarily demonstrate their commitment to excellence in law enforcement. The standards upon which the Law Enforcement Accreditation Program is based reflect the current thinking and experience of law enforcement practitioners and researchers. Major law enforcement associations, leading educational and training institutions, governmental agencies, as well as law enforcement executives internationally, acknowledge CALEA’s Standards for Law Enforcement Agencies^© and its Accreditation Program as benchmarks for today’s law enforcement agency. 

CALEA Accreditation requires the Police Department to develop a comprehensive, well thought out, uniform set of written directives. This is one of the most successful methods for reaching administrative and operational goals, while also providing direction to personnel.

CALEA Accreditation standards provide the necessary reports and analyses the Chief needs to make fact-based, informed management decisions.

CALEA Accreditation requires a preparedness program be put in place – so the Police Department is ready to address natural or man-made unusual occurrences.

CALEA Accreditation is a means for developing or improving upon the Police Department’s relationship with the community.

CALEA Accreditation strengthens the Police Department’s accountability, both within the agency and the community, through a continuum of standards that clearly define authority, performance, and responsibilities.

Being CALEA Accredited can limit the Police Department’s liability and risk exposure because it demonstrates that internationally recognized standards for law enforcement have been met, as verified by a team of independent outside CALEA-trained assessors. The Police Department must prove compliance with the CALEA standards throughout each year and must pass an on-site assessment every three years.