2010 News Archive 

Subscribe

Johns Creek Police receives CALEA accreditation

The Johns Creek Police Department was awarded a CALEA Accreditation July 31, becoming the first law enforcement agency in the nation to receive the important recognition within two years of its founding.

Johns Creek Police Chief Ed Densmore, 2nd from right, accepts his department's accreditation from CALEA President Louis Dekmar, joined by CALEA Executive Director Sylvester Daughtry, Jr., far left, Johns Creek HR Director Mary Ann Haskins, CSI Tanesha Taylor, City Manager John Kachmar, Sgt. Dion Smith, Major John Clifton and Commander Cheri Pickard.

"In my more than 40 years in public service, I have never seen a new agency achieve such an accomplishment," said Maryland Senator James Robey, a member of the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. "It is truly remarkable and outstanding."

Established in 2008, the Johns Creek Police Department designed its own agency policies and practices based on CALEA's demanding professional standards. "Our goal from the beginning was to be a CALEA accredited agency," said Police Chief Ed Densmore.

"It's the benchmark in professional law enforcement management and service delivery and that's what we wanted to provide the Johns Creek community," added Densmore. "I'm more than proud and appreciative of my officers and staff who've worked so hard to make this happen."

Densmore and Johns Creek City Manager John Kachmar accepted the accreditation at an awards ceremony in Las Vegas, Nevada, during CALEA's summer conference, attended by more than 500 representatives from law enforcement and public safety agencies across the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

"Johns Creek has truly set the bar for the industry standard," said CALEA Commissioner Gary Margolis on presenting the award. "The accomplishment of the JCPD to achieve this level of professionalism in such a short time is truly amazing, and one I've never seen before as a commissioner."

Becoming accredited is an arduous process. A total of 418 standards have to be met in all areas of law enforcement and public safety service, including operations, management, technical services, and homeland security/critical incident.

Over the last year, a team of CALEA assessors conducted on-site reviews of the Johns Creek Police Department's policies, practices and procedures; interviewed police staff and city leaders; and conducted open hearings to learn the public's perception of the department.

"We are always proud of our Police Department, but we are particularly pleased that CALEA, which is recognized internationally as the key credentialing authority for law enforcement agencies, has acknowledged the outstanding work of the JCPD with its esteemed accreditation," said Kachmar. "We thank Chief Densmore for his leadership and his foresight."

CALEA was established in 1979 by the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, the National Sheriffs' Association, and the Police Executive Research Forum.