Tacoma police seeking to extend rare accreditation

Tacoma police want to know what the people they serve think of how they operate.

The department is up for re-accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, also known as CALEA.

Tacoma police first were awarded the accreditation in November 2010 and maintained their accreditation during an exam in 2013.

The designation is rare, with only 2 to 4 percent of law enforcement departments nationwide meeting the standard. Only eight out of 237 agencies in the state are accredited by CALEA.

Others so accredited include the Washington State Patrol, the King County and Clark County sheriff’s offices, and the Federal Way, Bellevue, Port of Seattle and University of Washington police departments.

It can cost $7,125 to $18,600 to become accredited, depending on the size of the agency. Departments must meet nearly 200 standards.

Commissioners will visit Tacoma on June 6 to analyze the Police Department’s policies, procedures, management, operations and support services.

A public information session will be held so members of the public can give their input. The session will be at 6 p.m. June 7 at the Boys & Girls Club of South Puget Sound, 3875 S. 66th St., Tacoma.

People can also call in comments to the assessment team by phoning 253-383-2777 from 4-5 p.m. June 7.

They can also write to the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, 13575 Healthcote Blvd., Suite 320, Gainesville, VA, 20155.

This story was originally published May 9, 2016 at 10:49 AM with the headline "Tacoma police seeking to extend rare accreditation."