CALEA Assessors

On July 28, 1990 the Rapid City Police Department became the 150th police organization to receive national accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Inc. (CALEA). Accredited status represents a significant achievement made especially noteworthy because of the formal recognition granted to show that an institution meets or exceeds general expectations of quality in the field. Accreditation acknowledges the use of policies that are both conceptually sound and operationally effective. As of May 2008 there are 751 agencies having achieved either Full Accreditation or Recognition. Of the 751, the majority are fully accredited agencies. There are over 200 additional agencies in some portion of the process, either attempting to achieve full CALEA Accreditation, CALEA Recognition Program, or one of the other CALEA accredited programs.

The Rapid City Police Department is also an active member of the Rocky Mountain Accreditation Network (RMAN). The department’s membership in RMAN supports the concept of accreditation as a means to enhance the quality of law enforcement service within the Rocky Mountain Region. RMAN affiliation also provides a vehicle to encourage communication, mutual cooperation, development and sharing of valuable resources. The Rapid City Police Department supports the concept of accreditation and actively participates in On-Site CALEA assessments and MOCK assessments.

During the week of May 6-9, 2007, an on-site assessment was administered by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) to ensure the department's compliance with state-of-the-art standards in four basic areas: policy and procedures, administration, operations, and support services. The Rapid City Police Department re-accreditation inspection affirmed our commitment to excellence and that we meet all applicable standards of professionalism in law enforcement as defined by CALEA. During the November 2007 Conference in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the Rapid City Police Department received its re-accredited status and a Certificate of Meritorious Accreditation. The Department's next CALEA inspection will be in May 2010.

Department Contact: Lt. Ray Cornford at 605-394-4133 – FAX: 605-394-6854 or E-mail him by clicking here.

RCPD Static Display during CALEA Assessment

CALEA Website