Accreditation is a voluntary, internal process by which an agency seeks to achieve, objectively verify, and maintain high quality practices in their operations through periodic evaluations conducted by an independent, non-governmental body. There is no requirement for a law enforcement agency or facility to be accredited. Achieving accreditation shows an agency’s commitment to excellence and adherence to high-quality standards in their operations.

Currently, the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office holds accreditation for the Lafayette Parish Correctional Center through the American Correctional Association (ACA) and for the Law Enforcement and Training Academy programs through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA).

Led by the Accreditation Manager, the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office has a dedicated Accreditation team responsible for collecting and maintaining proofs for compliance, organizing and implementing the administrative reporting schedule, preparing personnel for upcoming assessments and organizing agency resources and activities to achieve and maintain accreditation. The team also has an Agency Policy Coordinator responsible for writing and editing the agency’s policies and procedures and managing the annual policy review process.

Commission On Accreditation For Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA)

CALEA is a credentialing authority whose primary mission is to accredit public safety agencies through the establishment of a set of best practice standards for public safety agencies to meet. The purpose of CALEA is to improve the delivery of public safety services, primarily by maintaining a body of standards developed by public safety practitioners, covering a wide range of up-to-date public safety initiatives, establishing and administering an accreditation process, and recognizing professional excellence.

The American Correctional Association (ACA) is an accrediting body for the corrections industry and is the oldest such association developed specifically for practitioners in the field of corrections. All ACA standards guide operations in every area of the facility and agency and relate to requirements and adherences to all federal, state, and local fire and safety codes, emergency planning and preparation, training and materials for staff, and provisions for the offender population. Security standards mandate inspections and training of all deputies, visitor and staff searches, and offender counting and tracking procedures, while other standards require the existence of specific practices or conditions designed to facilitate the development of agency policy and procedures that govern everyday operations.