When you hear that the Huntsville Police Department (HPD) is going through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) reaccreditation process, it might sound like just another government checklist. But trust me, this one’s a big deal.
CALEA is the national gold standard for policing – recognition agencies earn only by proving they’re consistent, professional and committed to doing things the right way, day in and day out.
HPD has held this status since 1996, and now they’re asking the community to weigh in as they work to maintain it. Here’s why that matters for you, your neighborhood and the future of public safety in Huntsville.
The Everyday Impact of Police Accreditation
Think of CALEA accreditation as HPD’s seal of approval, a promise to the community. It ensures the department operates with accountability, integrity and transparency.
“All these benefits lead to a safer, more responsible law enforcement agency,” HPD Accreditation Coordinator Deborah Riggs said. “Because HPD meets CALEA’s national standards, we will be more accountable in our actions, show more integrity in the way we do business and be a more transparent agency for them to be able to see what is happening in their city.”
Accreditation also helps new leadership hit the ground running. With constant promotions and retirements, HPD relies on CALEA’s standards to keep everyone aligned, ensuring that gaps or discrepancies are quickly identified and corrected.
“With constant promotions and retirements, there has been a lot of change in the agency,” Riggs said. “Since CALEA has such strong requirements that it requires items to be completed annually and biannually, the new supervisors may not know about them. They are notified of these, and HPD stays up to date on all needed requirements.”
The Process Behind Police Accreditation
Maintaining CALEA accreditation is a continuous effort.
Behind the scenes, Accreditation Coordinators like Riggs and Tonya Pettit are reviewing policies, tracking compliance, auditing files and preparing for annual and four-year assessments.
“Safe neighborhoods depend on both effective policing and strong community trust,” Pettit said. “Every policy we develop or verify supports citizens’ rights, officer safety and consistent decision-making in the field.”
The process doesn’t just keep HPD in compliance – it pushes them to continually improve.
“The reaccreditation cycle, evolving standards, data requirements and external assessment create constant pressure to identify weaknesses and improve,” Pettit said. “Our job isn’t just about maintaining compliance but also facilitating continuous improvement in how HPD operates, making the department more professional, effective and accountable year after year.”
Your Voice in Police Accreditation
Residents don’t just watch from the sidelines – your feedback has real power. CALEA’s public comment portal gives the community a seat at the table, letting HPD hear directly what’s working and where it can do better.
“In the past, we’ve received comments about officers not getting out and visiting with citizens,” Riggs said. “I make sure to show those comments in our new hire training to make sure that all newly hired officers see that it is a concern for the citizens.”
By speaking up, residents help their police department stay accountable, transparent and responsive, reinforcing the high standard of service the community deserves.
Want to help shape how HPD serves the community?
Share your thoughts through CALEA’s online public comment portal . It’s quick, it’s easy and it goes directly to the experts evaluating the department.
