Mayor Purzycki, Chief Tracy Announce Reaccreditation of the Wilmington Police Department
August 26, 2021
WPD is one of just 32 agencies of its size in the country to achieve Advanced Law Enforcement Accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies
Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki and Chief of Police Robert J. Tracy today announced that the Wilmington Police Department has achieved reaccreditation from the national Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). WPD is one of 942 law enforcement agencies – out of a total of nearly 18,000 – in the United States to earn this recognition, as well as one of just 32 police agencies of its size (300-500 sworn officers) to achieve and maintain Advanced Law Enforcement Accreditation.
File Photo: Wilmington police Chief Robert Tracy participates in Community Conversations at the Sixth district Thursday, Aug 03, 2017, at Pulaski Elementary School in Wilmington DE. Photo By Saquan Stimpson
“We are excited to announce our reaccreditation, and we appreciate the time and efforts of the assessment team that reviewed our agency and ensured compliance with CALEA standards,” said Chief Tracy. “Our continued accreditation marks our adherence to national best practices for law enforcement agencies, as well as the high quality of service that our sworn officers and professional staff provide to residents and visitors of Wilmington.”
File Photo: Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki gives remarks during a press conferences to announce more than 100 charges filed against the Wilmington-area gang NorthPak, following a months-long collaboration between local, state, and federal authorities Monday, June 21, 2021, at the Carvel State Building in Wilmington, DE. Photo By Saquan Stimpson
“Accreditation means that an independent and, in this case, highly respected review agency has taken a close look at the operations of the WPD with positive results,” said Mayor Purzycki. “It is extremely important for the community and for the men and women of the department to know that the delivery of police services and the operations of the WPD are among the best in the country. Congratulations to the Chief and every Wilmington officer for this achievement.”
According to CALEA, “Accreditation represents your agency’s acceptance of the continuous obligation for professional excellence in the field of public safety.”
The WPD again achieved Advanced Law Enforcement Accreditation, which according to the organization, “provides agencies an opportunity to go beyond the implementation of basic best practices. Advanced Law Enforcement Accreditation is available for agencies having enough human and fiscal resources to consistently exceed basic service delivery. Advanced accreditation provides agencies additional means to verify accountability to those expecting and relying upon the highest level of public safety services.”
The Wilmington Police Department was first accredited in 1994, and was reaccredited in 1999, 2002, 2005, 2008, 2011, 2014, 2017 and, now again, in 2021.
Earlier this year, a team of assessors completed an examination of all aspects of the Wilmington Police Department’s policies and procedures, management, operations and support services. The purpose of the assessment, which takes place every four years, was to determine if the agency meets all applicable standards required by the Commission in order for the agency’s accreditation to be renewed.
You can learn more about CALEA by visiting the organization’s website at www.CALEA.org.