The National Policing Institute received the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) President’s Award, which recognizes organizations for their support and significant contributions to the advancement of accreditation across the public safety profession.

As described by CALEA, the nonprofit organization was established in 1979 as a credentialing authority for public safety organizations. CALEA prides itself on offering an accreditation process that is known as the gold standard in public safety. Participating agencies voluntarily meet an established set of professional standards, including comprehensive and uniform written directives; reports and analyses to make fact-based and informed management decisions; preparedness to address natural or man-made critical incidents; community relationship-building and maintenance; independent review by subject matter experts; and continuous pursuit of excellence through annual reviews and other assessments. 

The National Policing Institute (NPI)’s partnership with CALEA spans decades and signifies both organizations’ commitment to enhancing the field of policing. Through research conducted by NPI, training sessions, and conference presentations, the two organizations share in their missions to strengthen public safety and communities. 

NPI is also working in coordination with CALEA to support accreditation for public safety agencies in Mexico. The program has developed in-country resources to institutionalize the concept of accreditation and has successfully enrolled nearly 90 Mexican public safety agencies in the process.   

During CALEA’s annual award presentation, Executive Director Craig Hartley presented the President’s Award to NPI’s President, Jim Burch. “President Burch and the National Policing Institute are clearly leaders in the field, contributing time, talent, and passion in support of protecting others,” commented Hartley. 

Burch, NPI’s President since 2018, added, “Our work with CALEA over many years has allowed us the chance to really see how our missions are closely aligned. We both seek advancement of one of the world’s most noble professions, policing. The NPI team is deeply honored to receive this recognition, and it is with credit to our entire staff for making it happen.”