On Aug. 9, the Southern Pines Police Department was awarded accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). The CALEA accreditation process is a proven modern management model, announced Southern Pines Police Chief Nick Polidori in a press release.
After implementation, it presents the chief executive officer, 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, added Polidori.
The Southern Pines Police Department voluntarily participates in national accreditation through CALEA, which ensures agency policies and procedures align with internationally accepted public safety standards.
The Southern Pines Police Department is required to maintain continuous compliance during the award period, which is verified annually by CALEA. Verification of compliance by CALEA assessors with both mandated and voluntary standards ensures the agency continuously stays up to date on policies and procedures, management, operations, and support services.
Following four scheduled annual reviews and a meticulous site-based assessment in March, which included a review of community engagement, policy, procedures, equipment and facilities by an outside CALEA assessor, the Southern Pines Police Department was awarded accreditation with Excellence.
This marks the fifth time the Southern Pines Police Department has been awarded Advanced Law Enforcement Accreditation. The department’s initial accreditation was in 2011, and has subsequently achieved reaccreditation in 2014, 2017, 2021 and now again in 2025.
In reaccreditation years 2017, 2021 and 2025, the Southern Pines Police Department was awarded Advanced Accreditation with Excellence during the CALEA National Conference.
“There is no higher law enforcement accreditation than what has been received by this department,” said Polidori.
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Contributed article.
