Highland Heights Police Earn Top Accreditation

Nearly four years ago, the Highland Heights Police Department decided it needed high standards to measure its performance.

That's when the department first sent an application to the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). Billing itself the "gold standard for public safety," CALEA recognizes agencies across the country who have met nearly 200 standards of operation. This summer, Highland Heights was reassessed and given accreditation by Gainesville, Va.-based CALEA.

"It gives us a nationally recognized set of standards to adhere to," Highland Heights Police Sgt. Francis Kingzett said. "Our directives and the way we do our job is up to those standards."

Kingzett, who serves as the accreditation manager for the department, said the 188 standards Highland Heights has to meet for accreditation deal with every aspect of operation.

"Our code of ethics, compliance with constitutional requirements, searches, use of force, how we manage finances, disciplinary procedures, patrol, drugs, organized crime," Kingzett said when asked for examples.

The department spent $2,500 on CALEA enrollment and about $500 per year in fees, Kingzett said. However, he added that CALEA-accredited departments historically have lower workman's compensation claims, insurance costs and fewer lawsuits.

Departments from Beachwood, Shaker Heights, the Cleveland Clinic and the Cleveland Metro Housing Authority are the only others in Northeast Ohio that are CALEA-accredited.