On Saturday, November 19, 2022, the Zionsville Police Department achieved full accreditation status through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). This award will remain in effect for four years.
CALEA accreditation is considered the national gold standard in law enforcement accreditation. There are almost five hundred law enforcement agencies in Indiana. The ZPD is now one of only fifteen municipal police agencies and four sheriff’s departments in Indiana to have received CALEA accreditation. In Boone County, the ZPD is the first police department to earn this accreditation.
“The award of this accreditation recognizes the professionalism, outstanding work, and dedication to duty exhibited on a daily basis by the men and women of the Zionsville Police Department,” said Chief Michael Spears. “I am extremely proud of each member of our agency and am honored to serve with them.”
The process of CALEA accreditation is voluntary and requires a rigorous, multi-year review of all department policies, practices and processes to ensure that they are in compliance with 180 CALEA standards. These standards are internationally accepted public safety principles that are reviewed annually by public safety professionals and subject matter experts. Independent assessors sought public feedback, conducted interviews with department personnel and community stakeholders and reviewed all documentation provided by ZPD.
“This accreditation reaffirms our knowledge that the Zionsville Police Department is providing our community with the highest level of service,” said Mayor Emily Styron. “I am grateful to Chief Spears and all our officers for their dedication to both this process and to serving our community with professionalism, competency and integrity.”