Gladstone Police
The Gladstone Police Department exists for the purpose of protecting and serving the citizens of Gladstone. Vital to this purpose are the values which reflect what the Department believes in as an organization. These beliefs are reflected in the Department's recruiting and selection practices, policies and procedures, training and development and, ultimately, in the actions of its Police Officers in delivering services. Values reflect what the Department considers important and determine the way Police Officers view not only their role, but also the people they serve. Moreover, our values serve as a linkage between the ongoing operations of the Department and the community's ability not only to participate in, but also understand the reason for Police Department strategies.
The Police Department is not an entity unto itself. Rather, it is a part of government empowered by, and existing for the purpose of serving the public, to which it must be accountable. Accountability is a primary consideration in our development of policies and procedures. Accountability also means being open and requires responsiveness to the problems and needs of citizens. In addition, accountability requires the management of police resources in the most efficient and cost effective manner.
The role of the professional organization is serving its clients; our role is serving the citizens of Gladstone. The manner in which the Police Department conducts business, operationally as well as administratively, must be consistent with professionally accepted practices and ideals. The public demands and is entitled to a professional department. It is for this very reason that we have voluntarily sought accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc (CALEA).
Accreditation is a method to ensure that the Gladstone Police Department is in compliance with nationwide standards covering all aspects of law enforcement policies, procedures, practices, and operations. Accreditation makes a statement to other law enforcement agencies, professions and the community, reflecting that the Gladstone Police Department meets the highest standards of professionalism.
The CALEA was organized through the combined efforts of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Officers (NOBLE), National Sheriffs Association (NSA) and the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF).
The standards for accreditation are designed to:Increase law enforcement capabilities to prevent and control crime.
Increase agency effectiveness and efficiency in the delivery of law enforcement services.
Increase cooperation and coordination with other law enforcement agencies and members of the Criminal Justice System.
Increase citizens and employee confidence in the goals, objectives, policies, and practices of the agency.
There are currently over 480 Standards that cover:
Organization, management and administration.
Role, responsibilities, and relationships with other agencies.
Personnel administration.
Law enforcement operations, operational support and traffic law enforcement.
Prisoner and court related services.
Auxiliary and technical services.
Benefits of Accreditation include:
Nationwide recognition of professional excellence.
Community understanding and support.
Access to the latest law enforcement practices.
Assures that agency policies and procedures are in written form and made available to all agency personnel.
Assures agency personnel that every aspect of its personnel system is in compliance with nationwide standards ensuring that it is both fair and equitable.
Promotes relationships with other law enforcement agencies, courts, prosecutors, correctional agencies as well as federal, state and local governmental officials.
Provides objective measures in justifying decisions relative to budget requests and personnel policies.
Commits the agency to a broad range of services of the highest quality.
Liability litigation is reduced.
Provides for documented pro-active management systems.
Accreditation is an intensive effort involving the entire agency and the agency is reassessed by the accrediting agency, CALEA, every three years. For more information, please contact the Gladstone Police Department at (816) 436-3550.