The Gulf Shores Police Department was awarded national accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) in the Law Enforcement program.

"Two years ago, our community survey showed residents were very satisfied with our police

services, but we didn’t want to rest our laurels. We wanted to find ways to improve and take our

services to the next level,” said Chief Delmore. “That's why we chose to pursue accreditation

through CALEA. Having an objective third party verify our policies and procedures has allowed

us to take our service to the community to an even higher level.”

Following a multi-year self-assessment phase and a meticulous site-based assessment of

community engagement, policy, procedures, equipment and facilities by CALEA assessors, Gulf

Shores Police Department Chief Edward Delmore and Accreditation Manager Donald Fuller

attended the CALEA conference in Jacksonville Florida. Each agency being reviewed, goes

before CALEA’s 21-member Board of Commissioners where the commission reviews all findings

and determines the agencies’ accreditation status.

The evening of the hearing, during the celebration banquet, CALEA President Marlon Lynch and

Executive Director Craig Hartley awarded Gulf Shores Police Department with accreditation,

signifying excellence in public safety and commitment to community.

“With this accreditation, the Gulf Shores Police Department has set a new standard for law

enforcement in our region. It's a testament to the forward-thinking leadership of Chief Delmore

and his team. I am honored to serve as Mayor of a city that is so clearly committed to the safety

and well-being of its citizens,” said Mayor Robert Craft.

This is Gulf Shores Police’s first award of national accreditation. The Gulf Shores Police

Department now moves into CALEA’s four-year Accreditation cycle that includes four annual

remote, web-based file reviews and a site-based assessment in the fourth year.

In 1979, the Commission was created through the combined efforts of four major law

enforcement organizations; the International Association of Chiefs of Police, National

Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, National Sheriffs’ Association and the

Police Executive Research Forum.

The purpose of the Commission is to develop standards based on international best practices in

public safety, and to establish and administer the accreditation process. The accreditation

process is how a public safety agency voluntarily demonstrates how it meets professionally

recognized criteria for excellence in management and service delivery.

“This award of accreditation does not come easy,” said CALEA President Marlon Lynch.

“Agencies must go through a rigorous review and evaluation of their organization and then

implement the necessary policy and procedure changes. The process does not stop at that

point. By voluntarily choosing to seek CALEA accreditation, the agency commits to an ongoing

review of adherence to CALEA’s standards. Each community with CALEA accredited agencies

should be feel confident that their public safety organization is going above and beyond and

operating under the highest standards in public safety.

Benefits of Accreditation

• Controlled Liability Insurance Costs - Accredited status makes it easier for agencies to

purchase liability insurance; allows agencies to increase the limit of their insurance

coverage more easily; and, in many cases, results in lower premiums.

• Stronger Defense Against Lawsuits and Citizen Complaints - Accredited agencies are

better able to defend themselves against lawsuits and citizen complaints. Many agencies

report a decline in legal actions against them once they become accredited.

• Greater Accountability Within the Agency - Accreditation standards give the Chief

Executive Officer a proven management system of written directives, sound training,

clearly defined lines of authority, and routine reports that support decision making and

resource allocation.

• Staunch Support from Government Officials - Accreditation provides objective evidence

of an agency’s commitment to excellence in leadership, resource management, and

service-delivery. Thus, government officials are more confident in the agency’s ability to

operate efficiently and meet community needs.

• Increases Community Advocacy - Accreditation embodies the precepts of community-

oriented policing. It creates a forum in which police and citizens work together to prevent

and control crime. This partnership helps citizens understand the challenges confronting

law enforcement and gives law enforcement clear direction about community

expectations.

• Improved Employee Morale - Accreditation is a coveted award that symbolizes

professionalism, excellence, and competence. It requires written directives and training

to inform employees about policies and practices; facilities and equipment to ensure

employee safety; and processes to safeguard employee rights. Employees take pride in

their agency, knowing it represents the very best in public safety.

About CALEA

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: International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP); National Organization of Black

Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE); National Sheriffs' Association (NSA); and the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF).

The purpose of CALEA’s Accreditation Programs 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.

Specifically, CALEA’s goals are to: Strengthen crime prevention and control capabilities;

Formalize essential management procedures; Establish fair and nondiscriminatory personnel

practices; Improve service delivery; Solidify interagency cooperation and coordination; and

Increase community and staff confidence in the agency.

The CALEA Accreditation Process is a proven modern management model; once implemented,

it presents the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), on a continuing basis, with a blueprint that

promotes the efficient use of resources and improves service delivery—regardless of the size,

geographic location, or functional responsibilities of the agency.

This accreditation program provides public safety agencies an opportunity to voluntarily

demonstrate that they meet an established set of professional standards based on industry best

practices and approved by an all-volunteer board of commissioners.

The mission of the men and women of the Gulf Shores Police Department is to improve the

quality of life for all of our citizens by providing a safe and secure community environment

through the delivery of police services in an efficient and effective manner.

The City of Gulf Shores is a major tourist destination, and we place a great deal of emphasis on

providing high-quality community-oriented police services to our citizens and visitors. We are a

goal-oriented, proactive police department committed to the enhancement of the quality of life

that our residents and visitors have come to expect.