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The Professional Standards office maintains the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agency (C.A.L.E.A.) records and sees that the Department stays in compliance with the standards that are required to keep the status of being an accredited agency.

The Memphis International Airport Police Department is committed to seeking excellence in all areas of our work environment. We feel the vehicle to achieve this is the accreditation of the Department. As an internationally accredited department, the commitment of being a premier law enforcement agency is more than a goal within itself. It is a pledge by each member to meet the highest known standards of law enforcement service possible. Accreditation is a method of operations achieved on a daily basis. It is meeting compliance to the increased demands of customer service by all employees. The ultimate goal is to guarantee the airport community, and the persons we serve, the best possible services law enforcement can provide. Further, accreditation is worthy of our efforts and sets a tone for exemplary performance and accountability.

Obtaining accreditation for an organization is a common practice in many fields. Colleges and hospitals, for instance are accredited or certified by professional bodies. 

Essentially, accreditation is recognition of professional status from an independent agency. It is a means by which organizations illustrate the pursuit of excellence in their particular line of expertise and their willingness to meet and exceed industry standards.

In the field of law enforcement, the C.A.L.E.A. is the non- profit agency that grants accreditation. This organization was founded in 1979 by 4 major law enforcement bodies: the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Police Executive Research Forum, National Sheriffs’ Association, and National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives.

Law enforcement agencies volunteer to take part in the accreditation process. Presently only about 3% of all law enforcement agencies in this country, and in particular only 5 Airport Police Departments Worldwide, have successfully completed this exhaustive process.