Department of Safety & Homeland Security Earns State Accreditation

The Tennessee Law Enforcement Accreditation (TLEA) Program governing board has awarded the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security state accreditation. The department is the first state agency in Tennessee to earn both state accreditation and national accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA). It is also one of the few state police or highway patrol agencies in the country with both state and national accreditation.

Accreditation is the certification by an independent reviewing authority that an entity has met specific requirements and prescribed standards. To earn TLEA accreditation, agencies must meet five state standards not covered by any CALEA standard, including department legal counsel, civil disputes, vehicle maintenance, release of recorded messages, and TOSHA safety standards.

“Although the Department has held CALEA accreditation for years, it is important to be state accredited to show the commitment of the Tennessee Highway Patrol, the Driver Services Division, and the Office of Homeland Security to providing professional excellence in public safety to our citizens,” Commissioner Bill Gibbons said.

“Accreditation increases cooperation and coordination with other law enforcement agencies. We work every day with agencies from Memphis to Mountain City. This accreditation will help us build on those relationships and allow us to more effectively serve and protect the citizens of Tennessee,” Col. Tracy Trott said.

The Tennessee Law Enforcement Accreditation Program was created under the direction and authority of the Tennessee Association Chiefs of Police, which supports and endorses the continued improvement of law enforcement and emergency communications services by establishing professional standards of accountability, management, and operations.

To maintain accredited status, agencies must provide annual documentation of continued compliance and undergo an onsite assessment every three years.  

For more information about TLEA, please visit http://tacp.org/Accreditation.

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s mission is (www.TN.Gov/safety) to ensure the safety and general welfare of the public. The department encompasses the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Office of Homeland Security and Driver License Services. General areas of responsibility include law enforcement, safety education, motorist services and terrorism prevention.  

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