On Saturday, July 30, in Cincinnati, Ohio, the internationally-recognized Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Inc. awarded the Fort Myers Police Department with its first official accreditation. FMPD was one of 20 agencies at the event to receive international accreditation for the first time, a highly prized recognition of public safety professional excellence.

The CALEA accreditation process involved a comprehensive review of the Fort Myers Police Department’s organization, management, operations and administration. The department had to meet and comply with 464 standards. The process began with a self-assessment to determine if the department complied with all standards and continued with two mock assessments, public information session and a final inspection.

In its 27-page report, the on-site assessment team concluded, “The Fort Myers Police Department is a full service department that has fully embraced and implemented community policing concepts to address crime and public safety issues facing the jurisdiction. The agency is organized and managed effectively to maximize the use of its available resources to address the concerns and needs of the community.”

The CALEA accreditation is valid for three years, at which time FMPD will apply for a review and re-accreditation