November 22, 2022
The Hoover Police Department has earned national accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA), the gold standard in public safety. This is Hoover PD’s first CALEA accreditation and demonstrates the high quality of service the department provides to the community.
Hoover Police Chief Nicholas Derzis, Mayor Frank Brocato, Accreditation Managers Lieutenant Matt Tomberlin (ret.), and Lieutenant Katy Webb, accepted the honor at the CALEA conference in St. Louis this last weekend.
“I’m very proud of the Hoover Police Department’s recent accreditation through CALEA,” said Chief Derzis. “We completed this comprehensive and rigorous process ahead of schedule, which is a testament to the high standards and professional best practices the department already had in place. The Hoover community expects the best. We want to serve our community and provide them with police services that not only meet their expectations but exceed them.”
National accreditation is a voluntary process that Hoover PD began in 2019. The rigorous multi-year process includes a thorough self-assessment and a meticulous independent review of the department’s community engagement, equipment and facilities, and policies and procedures. The department is reviewed and measured against 180 internationally accepted public safety standards established by CALEA.
As part of the independent expert review, in August 2022, CALEA assessors conducted interviews and meetings with the public. CALEA’s assessment findings for Hoover PD were reviewed and discussed, and the department was found to be in 100% compliance with all 180 standards. Following the hearing in St. Louis on Saturday, November 19, 2022, the 21-member Board of CALEA Commissioners voted and approved Hoover PD for accreditation.
Hoover PD is among an elite group of law enforcement agencies in receiving the prestigious accreditation. Nationally, accreditation is obtained by only about 5% of all law enforcement agencies. In Alabama, we are one of just 13 municipal law enforcement agencies with CALEA accreditation.
Among the many benefits of accreditation, it professionalizes the department, strengthens accountability, and helps build community trust. Accreditation is valid for four years; however, Hoover PD is required to complete annual reports and further assessments to ensure continued compliance with all 180 standards of excellence and best practices.
#hooverpd #CALEA #communityengagement #communitypolicing #callusifyouneedus
Officer Brian Hale, Public Information Officer
205-739-6050
