Quality Assurance: C.A.L.E.A. Accreditation - Commendations/Complaints
The City of Plano Public Safety Communications (PSC) department is proud to have been accredited under The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. since 2005, and has also earned special distinction as a CALEA Flagship Agency which designated Plano as an extraordinary example of excellence in public safety.
The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) Public Safety Communications Accreditation Program provides an emergency communications center with a process to systemically review and internally assess their operations, procedures and effectiveness. The program provides a method for the Plano Public Safety Communications center to voluntarily demonstrate their commitment to excellence by proving compliance with over 200 CALEA standards. The standards upon which the Public Safety Communications Accreditation Program is based reflect the current thinking and experience of public safety communications executives and accreditation experts. APCO International (Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials International, Inc.), the leading communications membership association, was a partner in the development of CALEA’s Standards for Public Safety Communications Agencies© and its Accreditation Program. This relationship continues today as APCO recognizes the achievements of CALEA Accredited Public Safety Communications agencies and supports accreditation.
· CALEA Accreditation requires the communications center to develop a comprehensive, well thought out uniform set of written directives, sound training and clearly defined lines of authority. These are some 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 a CEO needs to make fact-based, informed management decisions.
· CALEA Accreditation requires a preparedness program be put in place – so a communications center is ready to address natural or man-made unusual occurrences whether they take place in the center’s service area or impact the center itself.
· CALEA Accreditation is a means for developing or improving upon a communications center’s relationship with the community and the agencies it services.
· CALEA Accreditation strengthens an agency’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 a communications center’s liability and risk exposure because it demonstrates that internationally recognized standards for public safety communications have been met, as verified by a team of independent outside CALEA-trained assessors. The Plano Public Safety Communications center must prove compliance with the CALEA standards throughout each year and must pass an on-site assessment every three years.
· CALEA Accreditation facilitates an agency’s pursuit of professional excellence. By adopting the CALEA standards the Plano Public Safety Communication center sets itself apart as a leader in the industry and provides objective evidence of the agency’s commitment to excellence.