CALEA

The Muscatine Police Department (MPD) has been an accredited police department through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) since 2000.

CALEA was formed in 1979 by the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, the National Sheriff’s Association, and the Police Executive Research Forum.

The process of CALEA Accreditation begins with a rigorous self-assessment, policies, practices, and processes against internationally accepted public safety standards. This is followed with an assessment by independent assessors with significant public safety experience.

Additionally, public feedback is received to promote community trust and engagement. Structured interviews are conducted with select agency personnel and others with knowledge to assess the agency’s effectiveness and overall service delivery capacities. The decision to accredit is rendered by a governing body of twenty-one Commissioners following a public hearing and review of all reporting documentation.

CALEA Accreditation is a continuous process and serves as the foundation for a successful, well managed, transparent, community-focused public safety agency. To this end, an agency must maintain its accredited status by remaining in compliance with CALEA standards at all times. 

The MPD was awarded Law Enforcement Accreditation on November 11, 2023, for the eighth time.

The department accepts and investigates all citizen’s complaints, and recommendations for commendations even when they are made anonymously. (See COMPLAINTS/COMMENDATIONS) 

The department understands that the authority the community has entrusted in its members is not to be taken lightly and makes every effort to meet the community’s expectation when using that authority.