GPD gains CALEA honors for another three years

GAINESVILLE - The Gainesville Police Department and Chief Brian Kelly received law enforcement's version of the 'high five' this week with a re-accreditation award from CALEA, the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies.

CALEA Chairman, Lagrange Police Chief Louis Dekmar, formally presented the award at Tuesday's council meeting; the department got its re-accreditation last March in North Charleston, South Carolina.

"The agency is an excellent example of a professional law enforcement organization with the spirit of community involvement and accreditation imbedded in its day to day operation," Dekmar told council members.

The department had to meet 463 standards and an onsite inspection by CALEA representatives to qualify for the award, and continues for another three years to be recognized as one of the nation's top law enforcement agencies with the re-accreditation. Chief Dekmar said the GPD is among less than a thousand law enforcement agencies out of 18,000 nationwide to meet the strict commission standards.

"The Gainesville Police Department is a full service law enforcement agency which uses problem solving techniques and the philosophy of community involvement to address crime and public safety issues," Dekmar added.

Accreditation Manager Sgt. Bill Cash and Chief Kelly also received certificates of appreciation.