Biddeford Police Department’s National Accreditation Renewed

BIDDEFORD — The Biddeford Police Department is pleased to announce that it has received reaccreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. The accreditation will be valid through July 2026.

The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA®) was created in 1979 as a credentialing authority through the joint efforts of law enforcement's major executive associations. CALEA's primary mission is to enhance the delivery of public safety services, primarily by maintaining a body of gold standards in operational and administrative procedures. The accreditation process provides law enforcement and public safety professionals the pathway to professional excellence and effective best practices.

The Biddeford Police Department first met the Standards for Accreditation in 2018, which remained valid for four years. In March 2022, the Department completed a full four-year on-site audit in order to be considered for another four-year accreditation.

The process of CALEA Accreditation begins with a rigorous self-assessment, requiring a review of policies, practices, and processes against internationally accepted public safety standards. This is followed with an assessment by independent assessors with significant public safety experience. Additionally, public feedback is received to promote community trust and engagement, and structured interviews are conducted with select agency personnel and others with knowledge to assess the agency’s effectiveness and overall service delivery capacities.

Police Chief Roger Beaupre testified in front of a board of 21 Commissioners at the CALEA National Conference in Chicago on July 23 as a part of the final review process, which resulted in a vote to grant the agency accreditation for another four years.

“Achieving and maintaining Accreditation requires a solid commitment to professional excellence in policy and practice and active participation from all agency members,” Chief Beaupre said. “I am proud of the work that each and every member of the Department puts in daily to continue to reach CALEA’s high standards.”

“CALEA congratulates the Biddeford Police Department for demonstrating a commitment to professional excellence through accreditation,” said W. Craig Hartley, Jr., Executive Director of CALEA. “The CALEA Accreditation indices are the Marks of Professional Excellence and should be displayed proudly by those that have earned them.”

The Biddeford Police Department is one of only five police agencies within the State of Maine and just 5% of law enforcement agencies nationwide that has received national accreditation from CALEA.

“I am very impressed by Chief Beaupre and the entire Biddeford Police Department for all that they have done to ensure that CALEA’s high standards for accreditation are met,” said Mayor Alan Casavant. “The Department's re-accreditation tells the public that the BPD is a modern, professional organization, dedicated to serve with the needed skills and education to protect all within our community.”