NEWARK, DE — The Newark Police Department has secured its 10th national accreditation, a designation held by a small fraction of law enforcement agencies nationwide, signaling continued compliance with hundreds of professional policing standards.
What This Means for You
- Newark police operations meet nationally recognized standards for safety and accountability
- The department undergoes regular outside reviews, including community input
- Emergency communications services in Newark are also nationally accredited
The accreditation, awarded March 14 by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, confirms the department meets 467 standards covering policies, training and operational practices.
CALEA accreditation is a voluntary program in which law enforcement agencies agree to follow a detailed set of professional guidelines. These include maintaining clear written policies, using data to guide decisions, preparing for emergencies and building relationships with the community. Agencies must also undergo independent reviews by outside experts.
How the Review Process Works
The process involves ongoing annual evaluations and periodic on-site inspections. Newark’s most recent on-site review took place in November 2025, when assessors interviewed department personnel, residents and community stakeholders to evaluate operations and public engagement.
Following that review, Newark Police leadership traveled to Tucson, Arizona, to appear before CALEA commissioners and answer questions about the department’s practices before accreditation was granted.
A Rare Level of Recognition
The department received “Advanced Law Enforcement Re-Accreditation” with a Meritorious designation, meaning it has maintained accredited status continuously since 1997. According to the department, about five percent of law enforcement agencies nationwide achieve CALEA accreditation, with fewer sustaining it over that length of time.
Communications Center Also Recognized
In addition to the police department, Newark’s Communications Center — which handles 911 calls — earned its own accreditation after meeting 210 standards specific to emergency communications.
Officials said only about 150 public safety answering points nationwide have achieved this designation, out of more than 6,000 such centers in operation.
What Happens Next
Accreditation is not permanent. The department will continue undergoing annual reviews and future on-site assessments to maintain compliance with CALEA standards.
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