The Houston Independent School District Police Department has again been awarded the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) accreditation. HISD boasts the only accredited public school district police department in the nation.

The accreditation, which was first achieved in 2006 and has now been renewed for a second time, was accomplished through a highly regarded and broadly recognized body of professional standards and a review conducted by independent assessors and CALEA’s commissioners.

“This continuing commitment to excellence demonstrates the HISD Police Department’s dedication to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world,” HISD Police Chief Jimmy Dotson said.  “Our police department abides to the highest standards as we provide service to our community and those who have empowered us to protect and serve them.”

CALEA, an independent accrediting authority developed in 1979, was established for two reasons: to develop a set of law enforcement standards, and to establish and administer an accreditation process through which law enforcement agencies could demonstrate voluntarily that they meet professionally recognized criteria for excellence in management and service delivery. Currently, over 900 public safety agencies are enrolled in some stage of the CALEA accreditation process.

The CALEA Accreditation Program provides a police department with a process to systemically review and internally assess their operations and procedures.  Accreditation is awarded for a period of three years and requires a continuing commitment from the accredited agency. HISD Police Department will undergo reaccreditation in February 2016.