Montgomery, AL – On Saturday, March 23, 2024, the Town of Groton Police Department was awarded national accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA). The award was presented at an event held at the 2024 CALEA Conference in Montgomery, Alabama. This is the first award of CALEA accreditation for the department.
This accreditation represents thousands of hours of work by department personnel including a comprehensive policy update project, a review of agency practices and procedures, adherence to best practices, and the gathering of numerous proofs of compliance.
In October 2023, assigned assessors from CALEA spent ten days conducting a web-based assessment reviewing all of the police department’s policies and procedures. In December 2023, a second assessor spent three days on-site at the Town of Groton Police Department reviewing the agency’s compliance with those nationally accepted CALEA standards. The on-site assessor inspected the police department and interviewed employees, members of the community, town leaders, and law enforcement partners to determine that the department followed all standards and practices and met the requirements of a highly regarded body of law enforcement.
Following a multi-year self-assessment phase, the aforementioned comprehensive web-based assessment and a meticulous site-based assessment of community engagement, policy, procedures, equipment and facilities by CALEA assessors, Groton Police Chief L. J. Fusaro, Deputy Chief Paul Gately, Lieutenant Davis Miner, and Officer Christopher Banks attended the 2024 CALEA Conference. This event consisted of several days of training, presentations, and committee hearings in Montgomery, Alabama. 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 conference culminated in the CALEA Commission Chairman Marlon Lynch and Executive Director W. Craig Hartley, Jr. formally awarding the Groton Police Department with accreditation, signifying excellence in public safety and commitment to the community. This is the first award of CALEA accreditation in the history of the Town of Groton Police Department. The Department is the only CALEA accredited municipal department in New London County and is among less than 5% across the nation to achieve this status.
Chief Fusaro said, “Achieving CALEA Accreditation has long been a goal for our department and I’m extremely proud that our team has achieved this ‘Gold Standard’ for law enforcement agencies. I am thankful for the continued professionalism and hard work that all of our sworn and civilian personnel display each and every day. I’m also thankful for the support we receive from our elected officials and Town Manager John Burt, as well as the citizens of Groton who support our agency and its personnel. CALEA Accreditation means we implement best practices and follow policies that meet or exceed constitutional policing standards. The Groton Police Department is committed to providing the best service possible to our community and to all who live, work, and visit Groton.”
Chief Fusaro further stated, “CALEA Accreditation is a significant achievement for our department that underscores the high level of competency, integrity, and professional excellence that is embedded in our department’s core values. I am very proud of the efforts our team made to achieve this award, and I want to thank Town Manager Burt, Mayor Franco, and the many elected and appointed officials of the Town of Groton who have supported us throughout this long process. Being CALEA Accredited highlights the quality of service this agency provides the community. We are proud to be among only a handful of agencies in Connecticut and less than 5% nationally who undergo this detailed and voluntary examination that results in CALEA Law Enforcement Accreditation.”
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. Accreditation is a voluntary process with approximately only 5% of police departments achieving accredited status.
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.
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.
Although the accreditation process is arduous, the benefits of accreditation are well-known. The chief benefits are greater accountability within the agency, liability reduction and stronger defense against civil lawsuits, support from government officials, and increased community advocacy. The results of this process prove to the community that the Town of Groton Police Department is committed to serving in the most professional, compassionate, and competent manner.
Louis J. Fusaro, Jr.
CHIEF OF POLICE
